• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 18, 2025

Adding Cal, Stanford Could Entice ESPN To Increase ACC Rights Deal

  • ACC leaders have been meeting to discuss what adding Cal and Stanford would look like.
  • The addition of two more teams would grow the ACC to 16 teams and another time zone.
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

The ACC is considering capitalizing on the increasingly fluid reality of conference realignment by entertaining the idea of adding the University of California and Stanford — a move which could give the conference leverage when it comes to its media rights.

Presidents from the ACC reportedly met on Tuesday morning after conference athletic directors did the same on Monday. No votes have been taken, and it’s unclear if Cal and Stanford would apply for ACC membership or accept an invite to join. Cal’s board of regents also met on Tuesday morning to discuss the school’s athletic future.

Adding two more schools in the Pacific time zone could help the ACC push its media rights partner ESPN to renegotiate its current, financially modest deal — one that is pushing schools like Florida State to consider leaving. There’s no guarantee ESPN would oblige, but the ability to fill late-night broadcast windows with Cal and Stanford home games could help replace slots vacated by the network’s expiring Pac-12 deal. 

However, ESPN is also a broadcast partner of the Big 12, which is adding western schools in Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah.

Kliavkoff Here To Stay

Amid the Pac-12’s turmoil, conference commissioner George Kliavkoff says he has no plans to step down. “I’m loyal to a fault (and probably to my personal detriment),” he told the San Jose Mercury News, noting he’s committed to what he described as “a lot of work ahead.” 

Kliavkoff reportedly makes $3.5 million a year and has three years remaining on his contract. “Had plenty of chances to leave over the past two years when the breadth of the challenges were already obvious,” he added. “And [I] decided to stick it out and try to do the best I could.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8) pursues Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.

College Football Enters Week 3 Up 21% in TV Ratings

Total college football viewership across all networks is up big.

Kuminga, Grimes Remain Unsigned As Giddey Agrees to $100M Deal

Two of the four restricted free agents have inked deals.

College Football Field-Storming: Georgia Tech Fined $50K

The ACC announced a new fine system in July, joining the SEC.
Oregon State Beavers quarterback Gevani McCoy (4) scrambles out of the pocket during an NCAA football game against UNLV at Reser Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Corvallis, Ore.

Pac-12 Strikes New Football, Basketball Deal With The CW

The latest step in its resurrection after being picked apart in 2023.

Featured Today

Adriunna Brown

Business Is Booming for WNBA’s Top Beauty Pros

A network of stylists is shaping how players look, feel, and perform.
Premier Lacrosse League
September 14, 2025

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
Sep 13, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (4) carries the football against South Florida Bulls cornerback Ben Knox (1) during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium.

NCAA Eliminates Spring Transfer Portal Window

The change is aimed at curbing the system of “unrestricted free agency.”
Sep 12, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; New Mexico Lobos quarterback Jack Layne (2) reacts after his team scored a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl.
September 15, 2025

UCLA Paid New Mexico $1.2 Million for Friday’s Loss: Payout Game Tracker

The Bruins weren’t the only Power-4 school to lose a buy game and fire their coach.
Sep 13, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back AK Dear (0) tries to outrun Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Ricardo Hallman (2) during the second half at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
September 16, 2025

Despite Vote Delay, SCORE Act Negotiations Continue on Capitol Hill

Political ad campaigns during college football Saturdays continue as well.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Sep 12, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) looks to pass during the first quarter against the New Mexico Lobos at Rose Bowl.
September 15, 2025

UCLA-Tennessee QB Trade Has Been Painful So Far

Iamaleava abruptly left Tennessee for UCLA this past offseason.
September 14, 2025

College Football’s Costly Start for Virginia Tech, UCLA: Coaches Out

UCLA and Virginia Tech fire their coaches while Notre Dame slumps badly.
Mar 4, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., speaks with Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, R-Ga., ahead of President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2025.
September 11, 2025

House Republicans Delay SCORE Act Vote Tentatively Planned for Next Week

They didn’t believe they had enough votes to pass the bill.
Jan 25, 2023; Langley, British Columbia, CAN; Highlights from the CHL Kubota Top Prospects game at the Langley Events Centre
September 10, 2025

NCAA Hockey Scouts Denied Passes for Crucial Recruiting League

The CHL won’t welcome scouts on passes: “It comes across as petty.”