ACC Commissioner Phillips Confirms League Stability After Litigation, $2.8B NCAA Settlement

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is entering a period of anticipated stability following a tumultuous stretch marked by legal battles and financial uncertainty. The league recently settled litigation with Clemson and Florida State, leading to a revised revenue-distribution model that rewards top football programs, with schools like Florida State expecting an additional $18 million annually. This comes amid the looming $2.8 billion House v. NCAA settlement, which could allow schools to share significant revenues directly with athletes. ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips expressed optimism for four to five years of stability, emphasizing the need for college athletics as a whole to settle down after years of chaos. However, potential changes could still arise around the 2030-31 season, and concerns remain about the impact on schools outside the top earning tier. The ACC leadership also supports the idea of a federal commission to standardize NIL (name, image, and likeness) laws and help ensure fair practices across the country.