Stanford and Cal fell one vote short of surpassing the 75% approval threshold needed to join the ACC, sources told Sports Illustrated's Pat Forde and Richard Johnson.The Cardinal and Golden Bears needed at least 12 of the 15 ACC schools to support the move to officially be offered membership. Florida State, Clemson, North Carolina, and North Carolina State reportedly opposed the idea of the Pac-12 pair joining the ACC during initial discussions.The ACC is thus unlikely to put forward a formal vote for expansion.ACC commissioner Jim Phillips led discussions on the potential of adding Stanford and Cal, presenting financial and scheduling scenarios to current league members.The Pac-12 has undergone significant changes recently. Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah will depart to the Big 12 next year, while USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington will join the Big Ten.Stanford, Cal, Oregon State, and Washington State - the four remaining Pac-12 members - are evaluating their options. Both the Mountain West and AAC would be interested in adding the remaining Pac-12 programs.Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech, and Louisville were reportedly the most vocal in supporting Stanford's and Cal's potential addition."The notion that two of the very best academic institutions in the world who also play (Division I) sports could be abandoned in this latest chapter of realignment is an indictment of college athletics," athletic director Jack Swarbrick said.While the Pac-12 will drop below the eight-member minimum needed for FBS certification, it has a two-year grace period, per NCAA rules. College Football Playoff officials could strip the Pac-12 of its Power 5 conference status when they meet over the next two months.

Sounds like FSU and Clemson weren’t on board with adding the two west coast teams.

  • goforliftoff@lemm.eeEnglish
    5·
    1 year ago

    Also UNC and NC State opposed, apparently. Can’t say I blame them. That west coast travel would be terrible.

  • DucktorZee@lemmy.world
    31·
    1 year ago

    This is really a bad idea. I have a hard time believing ESPN wants to pay any fraction of $35-ish million to these schools. No one watches them. No one cares. Costs increase for everyone. Lose, lose. Not happening.

    The Pac4 should just get off their horse and realize the MWC is what they belong on right now. Work hard, get better, build the brave. Try to jump on the next realignment.

    • utiandtheblowfish@lemmy.ml
      21·
      1 year ago

      Cal maybe, but Stanford has proven they are capable of being good in all major sports. I think Stanford being left out is crazy

      • DucktorZee@lemmy.world
        2·
        1 year ago

        I wish I could agree but their absolute refusal to get into NIL and more importantly ( because the Stanford education is valuable) their horrible transfer policies are symptom of a university that does not care about football. In an area that didn’t care about college football either.

        Your best players, who have spent years in your system being molded are required to leave because they cannot get into graduate programs. These are Stanford grads. But Stanford doesn’t do that?!

        Also the awful credit transfers ensure only freshman can transfer it, if their have the grades.

        Again, this is a university that doesn’t give a damn about football, likely didn’t during the heydays either. Why would Fox, NBC or CBS want to pay for that? They wouldn’t.

        As Duck fan I really loved when these two teams should it out for the North. I am saddened that the university decided it wasn’t really worth their time but an not sad that they now reap what they have sown.

  • Cheesus@lemmy.world
    2·
    1 year ago

    A lesser conference like the ACC should have learned to copy another lesser conference, the big12. They need to be actively poaching and not wait until Clemson and fsu leave for the sec in a few years.