• Loading stock data...
Friday, November 22, 2024

ACC Slows Down Conference Expansion Talk, For Now

  • Southern Methodist University is now under consideration to join the ACC.
  • Cal and Stanford could expand the conference to 16 teams from coast to coast.
Jordan Hofeditz/Reporter-News/USA TODAY NETWORK

Late Wednesday evening, ACC presidents decided not to vote on adding Pac-12 members Stanford and Cal to its conference, according to multiple reports.

The conference is also exploring the opportunity to add SMU, but wants to gather more information on all three schools, along with what ESPN is willing to do when it comes to potential additional revenue before moving further along with the process.

The conference’s slow deliberation is also holding up the Mountain West’s plans to explore expansion.

SEC Wants CFP Changes

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey wants to reexamine how teams qualify for the financially lucrative, expanded College Football Playoff in the wake of conference realignment. 

This season, conferences will receive $6 million for each team making a CFP semifinal, though it’s still uncertain how much a berth in the 12-team postseason will garner next year.

The original plan was to award playoff berths to the six highest-ranked conference champions and next six highest-ranked teams. “There are elements and specifics of what was decided when we had clarity around 10 conferences that might need to be adjusted,” Sankey said on “Paul Finebaum Show” this week, likely hinting at more SEC representation in the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Sankey said the SEC wasn’t actively recruiting any other schools for further expansion. 

“We have this contiguous group that has a national platform,” Sankey said. “We don’t need to be in four time zones to generate interest on the West Coast.” 

But Sankey wouldn’t rule out expansion in general if the right situation appeared. ACC schools Clemson and Florida State would easily fit into the conference’s current geographic footprint.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Rays $1.3B Ballpark Plans Stalled by Bond Delays, Hurricane Fallout

St. Petersburg officials vote to delay bonds for a new ballpark.
Nov 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; McLaren F1 Team driver Oscar Piastri of Australia (81) during free practice at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

F1 Welcomes Second Chapter of Polarizing Las Vegas Grand Prix

Both championship battles have yet to be clinched entering the Las Vegas race, which was not the case last year.

Old Rivals, New Stakes: Notre Dame and Army to Clash in Yankee..

The two schools are playing for the first time since 2016.
Oct 16, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred before game three of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Citi Field.

Manfred Urges Patience on Rays Ballpark, Eyes MLB Media Shift

The commissioner also sees a new era emerging in the sport’s local media landscape.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

What’s Next for Hapless Jets?

0:00

Featured Today

Nov 16, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman (2) celebrates after defeating NJ/NY Gotham FC in a 2024 NWSL Playoffs semifinal match at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit:

The Washington Spirit’s Business Makeover Carried Them to the Finals

The team’s return to the NWSL championship looks a lot different from 2021.
Nov 18, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Williams Racing driver Logan Sargeant of the United States (2) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
November 21, 2024

F1 Grand Prix Upended Vegas Last Year. Stakes Are High for Its..

Stakes are high as F1 gears up for a successful second act.
Classic Football Shirts New York Pop-Up
November 18, 2024

Vintage Soccer Jerseys Have Found a Sweet Spot in the Lucrative U.S...

The money-making shirts are at the prime intersection of memorabilia and fashion.
Nov 13, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after fouling Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (not pictured) during the second half at Madison Square Garden.
opinion
November 16, 2024

NBA Ratings Rorschach Test: Buy the Dip

Was it the election? Too many threes? Lack of storylines?

The Big Noon Debate: Will Ohio State’s Early Games Lead to Change?

The Buckeyes will end the season with seven noon ET kickoffs.
Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke gazes into the crowd after the Hoosiers beat Michigan on Nov. 9, 2024, in Bloomington, Indiana.
November 21, 2024

Companies Are ‘Misleading’ Athletes About Settlement Money, House Lawyers Say

Lawyers are asking the judge to take action to protect players.
November 22, 2024

Michigan Flips No. 1 QB Bryce Underwood With Reported Eight-Figure NIL Deal

Underwood grew up near Michigan’s campus.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Geno Auriemma
November 20, 2024

Geno Auriemma Becomes All-Time Winningest NCAA Basketball Coach

He took the record from Tara VanDerveer, who set it in January.
Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders looks on before the game against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field.
November 20, 2024

Prime Time: Colorado Now Favored to Win Big 12, Eyes CFP Berth

Colorado is No. 16 in the latest CFP rankings.
November 20, 2024

Sparks Turn to College Ranks: Utah’s Lynne Roberts Named Head Coach

The Atlanta Dream hired Karl Smesko last week.
November 18, 2024

Louisiana Governor’s PAC Paid for Controversial LSU Tiger

Jeff Landry’s backers funded the tiger that appeared at Alabama-LSU.