With realignment talks becoming louder over the last two years, a group of ACC schools interested in a new deal has formed.
“The Magnificent 7”
A group of ACC schools calling themselves “The Magnificent 7” have decided to meet with lawyers and see how unbreakable their deal with the conference is. The schools involved are Clemson, Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Virginia and Virginia Tech.
As a big two of the SEC and Big Ten continue to take shape, more teams are looking to leave their conference. The hope of gaining a more lucrative deal is enticing to many. In 2024, the SEC is adding Oklahoma and Texas while the Big Ten will bring UCLA and USC in.
In recent years, the ACC has fallen behind in revenue as the two previously mentioned conferences continue to reign supreme. It has become clear that football is king. The TV deals that the big two have received are massive and from an outside perspective, very attractive. The current contract in which the ACC holds the schools media rights will last until 2036.
How does this impact North Carolina?
Of the “Magnificent 7”, North Carolina will likely be the most sought after. The Tar Heels have fans all over and are a national brand. Mens basketball is at the top of the list for nationally televised games. Meanwhile, the non-revenue sports rank among the best in the country. North Carolina football has seen a rise in interest since Coach Mack Brown returned to Chapel Hill.
With all these things in mind, it makes sense for the Tar Heels to look for an out. Combined, North Carolina mens basketball and football have generated the most brand value in the ACC over the past two seasons. Over 100 million dollars separate North Carolina and Clemson, who is second in the ACC in this measure.
The Fit
Big Ten: With other national brands like Michigan, Ohio State and now USC and UCLA, the Tar Heels would come into a conference that has a rich basketball history. They could compete yearly much of the same way they have in the ACC. Being a top basketball school and playing for conference championships every season. Football would likely stay in the place it is now, having average to above-average seasons, competing for division championships here and there but ultimately remaining a basketball school.
SEC: The SEC has a growing basketball scene which it did not have a decade ago. Then, Kentucky was usually top dog. Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and soon, Texas and Oklahoma, are all high level basketball schools that continue to rise. The Tar Heels could come into a conference looking for more basketball prowess. Football however, would likely suffer. Already struggling to be a yearly contender in the ACC, playing against Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU and Texas A&M every year is not going to do the program any favors.
These schools have big decisions to make on their future and must do so quick, or risk getting left behind.
