Realignment of college football: SEC and Big Ten view UNC as a “attractive expansion target”
After Florida State and Clemson filed lawsuits against the ACC with the intention of leaving the conference, the debate over college football realignment and expansion is heating up once more. Now, insiders are predicting that a third major brand might be next on the list.
That company? According to a report from Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, North Carolina is seen by industry insiders as the “lynchpin” for either the SEC or the Big Ten, both of which might be interested in adding the institution should another opportunity at realignment arise.
With its well-established academic standing and nationally renowned brands in football and basketball, North Carolina is a strong contender for conference realignment.
However, market forces might keep the Tar Heels from joining the Big Ten or SEC.
The conferences would need to ask for more money from their TV deals in order to grow, possibly up to $100 million year, which is more than the networks are now ready to give after striking historic deals with both leagues.
Carolina seems amenable to a transfer, at least conceptually. During the past offseason’s expansion rush, it was purportedly one of the “Magnificent Seven” colleges that investigated ways to avoid the ACC’s grant of rights deal.
In response, the conference promised to present a revised revenue-sharing plan that would provide additional funding to the affected schools. However, Florida State and Clemson have since sued the ACC, claiming that their offer is insufficient.
In remarks to Inside Carolina, UNC Board of Trustees chairman Bubba Cunningham said that while he is dedicated to the ACC, the university is dealing with a “revenue gap” that is “getting bigger.”
NC State may also get involved in realignment if UNC is interested. This is due to the fact that the Board of Governors oversees both institutions, and Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina has declared that he does not think the universities ought to compete in separate leagues.
While North Carolina hasn’t publicly and openly opposed realignment like Florida State or Clemson did, the current state of affairs indicates that the school is prepared to reevaluate its ACC affiliation if circumstances call for it.
The collegiate football landscape has already been permanently altered by realignment, and it looks as though this will happen again shortly with Florida State and Clemson making moves and North Carolina potentially becoming a contender.