ACC explored adding multiple Pac-12 schools, presidents meeting tonight discuss expansion plans

The ACC apparently had its eyes westward for possible expansion but might be done with that notion after five Pac-12 schools bolted for other conferences on Friday.

According to a report from Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger, the ACC had “seriously explored adding 5-7 Pac-12 schools” prior to Friday’s moves.

But the league watched as Oregon and Washington accepted bids to the Big Ten and Arizona, Arizona State and Utah accepted invitations to the Big 12. Those moves brought the Big Ten’s total number of teams to 18 and the Big 12’s to 16.

The ACC currently sports 14 member programs, which will lag the aforementioned conferences and the SEC (16) come 2024.

So the league will continue hosting talks about potential expansion plans, with the ACC presidents scheduled to meet tonight, according to Dellenger.

Where the league pivots from here is anyone’s guess, though, particularly with Florida State making waves this week by saying it doesn’t envision a scenario where it’s practical for the program to remain in the ACC without a change in the league’s payout structure.

The major thing prompting conference realignment this go-round seemed to be just that, with the Big Ten and SEC set to lap the rest of the field in the annual revenue it brings in via its broadcast rights deals in the coming years.

On3 will have more on this developing story shortly.

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