The cycle of conference realignment is ceaseless, particularly during this period when discussions about it dominate conversations in collegiate athletics. With baseball being the primary ongoing sport, athletic directors, university presidents, board members, and league commissioners find themselves with additional time on their hands.
Two years ago, the Big 12 Conference grabbed headlines when Oklahoma and Texas unexpectedly opted to join the SEC. In response, the Big 12 welcomed BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati, and Houston.
Last summer, a significant shift occurred in college athletics as UCLA and USC, longstanding members of the PAC 12, declared their departure for the Big Ten.
Now, the ACC is undergoing a similar process. However, it differs as a group of schools is exploring options together, whether remaining in the ACC, forming their own league, or pursuing alternatives.
According to Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated, "A subset of seven schools in the 14-member conference has coalesced over what many of them describe as an untenable situation. Officials from the seven schools, led by Florida State and Clemson, have met a handful of times over the past several months, with their lawyers examining the grant-of-rights to determine just how unbreakable it is."
On Monday afternoon, Brett McMurphy of the Action Network confirmed Dellenger's report, identifying Clemson, Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Virginia, and Virginia Tech as “The Magnificent 7” ACC schools.
The sudden development can be attributed to financial concerns. The ACC may trail the SEC and Big Ten by nearly $30 million in annual distribution by 2026, according to Dellenger's report. During a February Board of Trustees meeting, FSU athletic director Michael Alford publicly hinted at potential changes to the revenue distribution model.
The impact on the Big 12 could be significant. Commissioner Brett Yormark might pursue these seven schools, expanding the league's national footprint. This move could benefit Central Florida, Cincinnati, and West Virginia, easing travel logistics with additional schools in the Eastern time zone.
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