Stanford’s Bold Move: Risk Revenue For Stability In ACC

The apparent desperation among the remaining Pac-12 schools has reached the point where one may prefer a new conference even if that doesn’t guarantee any shared revenue.

Stanford has reportedly told California, Oregon State, and Washington State that it has informed the ACC it would be open to joining the conference with potentially no media rights payout for multiple years, according to the Associated Press.

ESPN is paying the ACC $240 million per year through 2036 and doesn’t have to up its spend if the conference adds schools, although it could agree to do so. The current 14 members would likely want a promise of more media revenue if it were to expand, especially if they were splitting any or all of that money with new universities.

Apple’s final offer to the Pac-12 before it was dismantled reportedly would have paid schools about $25 million a year. Last year, the Pac-12 reportedly turned down an offer from ESPN that would have paid schools about $30 million each.

Stanford has often been linked with Cal throughout realignment, but the Cardinal appear to be showing more aggression in finding a new home — with former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice making a recommendation for a Stanford ACC move.

Waiting Game

The holdup in any ACC decision-making has forced Oregon State and Washington State to wait before solidifying any next moves. The American Athletic Conference is also waiting to see if any of its teams will be poached or if it could potentially add new ones.