Conflicting reports where Miami Hurricanes stand in potential ACC realignment
The lawsuit by Clemson and Florida State is creating potential realignment for the ACC. The ACC is the only conference among the previous Power Five that wasn't impacted by realignment in 2023. No teams left or are entering the ACC entering the 2024-25 athletic calendar.
Brad Crawford of 247 Sports published an update on Friday about "ACC realignment: What sources are saying at Florida State, Miami, Clemson and others." Any conference movement by the Miami Hurricanes is likely dependent on how the lawsuit by Clemson and Florida State against the ACC turns out.
The discussion generated by Crawford was inspired by the ACC holding kickoff beginning on Monday and lasting through Thursday. Miami will appear on Wednesday with Boston College, Duke, Louisville and Wake Forest. ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips will meet reporters on Monday to begin ACC Kickoff.
Florida State is scheduled immediately following Phillips. Clemson will appear at ACC Kickoff on Thursday. Expect a lot of the focus during Florida State and Clemson's appearances to be on realignment. Head coaches Mike Norvell and Dabo Swinney will have different approaches to answering those questions.
"Sources told 247Sports earlier this spring that Miami's "preference" would be the Big Ten. Nothing has changed on that front. Last summer, it was believed the Big Ten "badly" wanted a program in Florida to compete with the SEC on fertile recruiting soil and for added national attention...Miami was one of the handful of ACC programs the Big Ten initially considered in 2022 during the realignment extravaganza...Florida seems like a no-brainer. Miami just wants out of the ACC, period, one source said previously. z"
- Brad Crawford, 247Sports
Rumors have occurred in the past year that Miami would leave the ACC for the Big 10 or Big XII. Miami Athletic Director Dan Radakovich told the Joe Rose Show on 560 WQAM in March about the Hurricanes "We are Incredibly Solid with the ACC." Speculation about the next wave of re-alignment is rampant and focused on the ACC.
More recent speculation has been that Clemson, Florida State, Miami and other ACC programs could leave for the Big XII. CBS Sports reported last month that the "Big 12 considering private equity investment of up to $1 billion for as much as 20% of conference."
The private equity would help the Big XII lure members from the ACC and potentially afford the buyouts from the grant of rights that would be required. No developments have occurred since the initial report from Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports in June. Many would see a move to the Big XII as lateral.
Next. Where could Miami Hurricanes land if ACC collapses. Where could Miami Hurricanes land if ACC collapses. dark
Ross Delenger of Yahoo Sports quoted Big XII commissioner Brett Yormark stating last week saying about the conference "You could say we are still open for business." The likelihood is that there will not be any movement for Miami or any other ACC programs until the lawsuit by Clemson and FSU against the conference is determined.