Does that mean anything for Texas?
It looks as though ESPN will keep the ACC from imploding after all.
Over the weekend, ESPN announced the network had opted to exercise its option to televise the conference’s sports through 2036, rather than let the deal end in 2027.
Walking amongst the False Prophets of Realignment who predicted the #ACC would be dead by now. #ACCForever pic.twitter.com/n05HMgT8e2
— Did The ACC Die Today? (@DidTheACCDie) January 31, 2025
ESPN’s announcement seemingly hushes at last some conference realignment rumors.
Of course, Florida State and Clemson remain in legal battles to leave the conference.
From Tomahawk Nation:
“The extension has significant implications for Florida State and Clemson’s ongoing legal battle to leave the conference. One of the cornerstone arguments for both schools has been that the ACC’s Grant of Rights agreement would be void if ESPN did not pick up the extension. With ESPN opting to extend the deal, that argument has effectively been neutralized.”
Here’s what’s now likely ahead, per ESPN:
“ACC sources suggested a vote to support the new revenue distribution plan may not be unanimous, but one conference administrator said a cut in distribution would likely be worthwhile if it meant stability in the coming years as college athletics works its way through a volatile series of existential shifts in its amateurism model. Multiple administrators who spoke with ESPN noted the severe impact that the collapse of the Pac-12 had on Oregon State and Washington State, and the observably diminished values of those programs has helped spark interest in negotiating a settlement.
The new brand distribution fund would be in addition to the ACC’s “success initiatives,” which the league approved in 2023. That pool of money is funded via revenue from the expanded College Football Playoff and additional payouts from ESPN that derive from the conference adding new members Stanford, California and SMU in 2024. SMU agreed to forgo its TV revenue for its first nine years in the ACC in exchange for an invitation to the conference, while Cal and Stanford agreed to take a 30% share.
The ACC’s success initiatives, which went into place this year, provide additional revenue to schools that play in the postseason. The brand initiatives would also be accessible to any ACC school, though the biggest names would have a clear leg up. Specific metrics have not been finalized.”
What does that mean for the Texas Longhorns?
For one thing, the Southeastern Conference, or SEC, likely won’t grow up its current 16 teams.
