ACC Faces Major Team Departures, Seeks New Members Amid Realignment

The ACC is facing significant changes as several top programs, including North Carolina, Clemson, Florida State, Louisville, and Miami, are rumored to be departing the conference around 2030, potentially joining the SEC or Big 12. These departures would come with substantial exit fees, which could provide the ACC financial resources to stabilize and attract new members such as Memphis, Tulane, South Florida, and UTEP. Meanwhile, the ACC remains competitive on the field, with Clemson and Miami ranked in the Top 10 nationally and favored to contend for the 2025 ACC Championship, despite offseason challenges like player decommitments and position gaps. Commissioner Jim Phillips is actively engaging with key stakeholders, including Notre Dame and influential figures like Apple CEO Tim Cook, to strategize for the conference's future beyond the current media deal expiring in 2036. Recruiting questions loom for individual programs, such as Boston College's efforts to secure top Massachusetts talent and Clemson's approach to running back recruitment. The ACC's ability to maintain relevance hinges on balancing these challenges amid shifting college football landscapes and market-driven conference realignments.