• Loading stock data...
Monday, June 2, 2025

Navigating College Football’s 2024 Realignment Landscape: What’s Next?

  • Texans and Oklahoma officially joined the SEC this week.
  • Florida State still wants to leave the ACC, which is adding three teams.
USA TODAY

The start of college football season is a little more than 50 days away, when fans will begin to get their first looks at the new Power 4 era, on the field at least. 

But this week marked the official transition for some schools, like Texas and Oklahoma, which departed the Big 12 to join the SEC. Schools leaving the Pac-12 will formally become members of their respective new conferences on Aug. 2, just a few weeks before the first football games of 2024 kick off. 

New Faces in New Places

To recap the busy season of realignment, which includes 15 schools on the move, here are the conferences that are adding new members this summer:

  • ACC: Cal, Stanford, SMU
  • American Athletic Conference: Army (football only)
  • Conference USA: Kennesaw State
  • Big 12: Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Utah 
  • Big Ten: Oregon, UCLA, USC, Washington
  • SEC: Oklahoma, Texas

The two remaining members of the Pac-12, Oregon State and Washington State, have a football scheduling partnership with the Mountain West Conference, and a separate deal with the West Coast Conference for basketball and other sports.

More Moves to Come?

Two of the biggest remaining pieces for future realignment center around Florida State and Notre Dame.

FSU is leading a lawsuit against the ACC so that it can leave the conference before 2036 without paying more than $500 million in exit fees. Clemson is also challenging the ACC in court, and the conference has counteresued both schools. If FSU and Clemson were successful in departing, that could set up a battle between the Big Ten and SEC for two more high-profile members.

Golden Dome

Meanwhile, Notre Dame remains the most lucrative potential catch of them all, so long as it continues to stay independent. The iconic school recently extended its media rights deal with NBC Sports and hired the network’s chairman as its new athletic director. 

That new deal, which runs until 2029, lines up with the Big Ten’s broadcast deals that expire that same season. The conference has long been seen as a logical landing spot for Notre Dame if it decides to join one. If FSU and/or Clemson move out of the ACC, that could put more pressure on the Fighting Irish to reconsider staying independent.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Verstappen Nears F1 Suspension After ‘Mario Kart’–Style Mayhem

The Red Bull driver received penalty points in Sunday’s race.

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.

French Open Scheduling Sparks Backlash Over Women’s Time Slots

Coco Gauff has also said the French Open schedule could be improved.
Zion Williamson

Zion Williamson Accused of Rape and Abuse in Lawsuit

The woman says their relationship began when he was at Duke in 2018.

Featured Today

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
May 24, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Basketball Universe—Thanks to Both Pro Teams

The Fever and Pacers are thriving at the same time.
Mar 28, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Mississippi Rebels forward Jaemyn Brakefield (4) rebounds over Michigan State Spartans center Carson Cooper (15) and Mississippi Rebels guard Matthew Murrell (11) in the second half of a South Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at State Farm Arena.

SEC Increases Court Storming Fine to $500K—With Caveat

The SEC used to fine schools $500,000 as a third-time offense.
May 29, 2025

Former Seton Hall Baseball Player Sues Over Sexualized Hazing

The student says the coach knew about the hazing and failed to act.
May 29, 2025

Brett Yormark: Big 12 Puts Private Equity and Naming Rights on Pause

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is shifting his conference’s strategy.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
May 29, 2025

Brian Kelly Pushes for SEC–Big Ten Alliance. Would It Widen the Gap?

A deal, if completed, would further strengthen college football’s two titans.
Mar 16, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) drives to the basket as Memphis Tigers forward Nicholas Jourdain (2) defends during the first half at Dickies Arena.
May 28, 2025

Prospects Picking College Over NBA Draft at Record Rate

The 2025 NBA draft has its lowest number of early entrants since 2015.
Tennessee pitcher Brayden Krenzel (34) pitches during a NCAA baseball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on May 11, 2025.
May 27, 2025

SEC Stranglehold on College Baseball Continues

SEC schools will host eight of the 16 regionals set to start this weekend.
May 22, 2025

Can Golf Emulate the College World Series Model?

Carlsbad, Calif., is hosting the event through 2028.