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ESPN has exercised its opt-in clause with the ACC, extending its media rights deal with the league through 2036, the league announced Thursday. The news comes just before a Feb. 1 deadline that could have concluded the partnership in 2027.
The extension is a relief to those inside the ACC looking for stability in turbulent times at the highest ranks of college athletics. The deal was initially agreed upon in 2016, but that contract has been the subject of multiple lawsuits from Florida State and Clemson, making the opt-in deadline a hot-button topic for the league’s future.
With the extension settled, the league can move forward with other business. That includes resolution for those lawsuits and revaluation of the league’s revenue structure.
Big win for most ACC schools
While Florida State and Clemson are engaged in a legal battle with the ACC to determine the actual cost of leaving the conference, they are not the only schools that would be deemed “valuable” on an open market. If the contract had concluded in 2027, there would be a handful of schools that would have opportunities to join other leagues.
When the Pac-12 was unable to secure its future in the summer of 2023, Oregon and Washington found landing spots in the Big Ten. Shortly after, Arizona, Arizona State and Utah joined Colorado in a move to the Big 12. If the ACC were in a similar position, the schools with the strongest brand value would be candidates for further expansion in other conferences.
That would leave a significant number of the league’s 17 full members to the same fate as Washington State and Oregon State. Yes, those schools have preserved the Pac-12 name and intellectual property — along with some lingering financial benefits — and are moving ahead…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/acc-extends-media-rights-deal-through-2036-what-it-means-for-florida-state-lawsuit-conference-realignment/
Author : Chip Patterson
Publish date : 2025-01-30 19:33:00
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