Is ACC too stagnant with potential expansion regarding UConn reportedly to Big XII?
The Atlantic Coast Conference added its first new schools in 10 years with California, Southern Methodist and Stanford joining for the 2024-25 school year. With the court cases involving Clemson and Florida State suing the ACC should the conference be more proactive in expansion?
Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports reported on Friday "Sources: UConn, Big 12 in serious negotiations about Huskies joining as newest expansion member." Miami has a past history with Connecticut in the Big East. Connecticut and Miami have not played in Football, but have an extensive history in basketball.
DameThe ACC has not lost a team since charter member Maryland left for the Big 10 in 2014. Lousville joined the ACC as Maryland was leaving. Notre Dane, Pittsburgh and Syracuse joined ACC in 2013 in the most recent wave of expansion until this year. Miami and Virginia Tech joined the ACC in 2004 with Boston College in 2005.
With the strong potential of Clemson and/or Florida State leaving the ACC in the future, the conference likely needs to be proactive to avoid the fate of collapse like the Pac 12 last year. One hurdle to adding Connecticut could be the approval of Boston College.
Big 12, UConn in discussions for Huskies to join Big 12 in football in 2031 & all other sports in 2026 pending Big 12 presidents approval, sources told @ActionNetwork. Besides UConn, ACC teams - if they can exit ACC - also on Big 12's radar, sources said https://t.co/bkUYsaF6lh
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 24, 2024
\The addition of Connecticut would remove the advantage of Boston College being the only ACC team in New England. It would improve travel for Boston College in non-revenue sports and revive a regional conference rivalry. Boston College and UConn are about 80 miles apart.
Miami got creative to protect its current members and add California, SMU and Stanford. Dellenger went in depth about potential financial agreements and specifications for UConn joining the Big XII. UConn would not join the Big XII in football until 2031. The Big XII television contract expires in 2031.
Next. How B1G and Big XII expansion impact Miami Hurricanes. How B1G and Big XII expansion impact Miami Hurricanes. dark
The ACC TV contract with ESPN runs through 2036. UConn would need to achieve certain financial targets, particularly in football, to become a full member of the Big XII. The ACC might have a similar arrangement with UConn. The ACC and other power conferences are likely not done with expansion in general or specifically.