Reason ACC could add Pac-12 schools revealed

The ACC is said to be seriously considering adding three schools in an expansion effort, and now we know the real reason for the potential moves.

Cal, Stanford and SMU have been pushing to join the ACC, and the member schools were even planning to vote Monday on adding the three schools.

Cal and Stanford have strong academic reputations and lots of history with their athletic programs. However, both schools have leadership that lacks interest in football and men’s basketball, and both schools have apathetic fanbases. SMU is trying to play with the big boys but has a small enrollment and a questionable history of successful athletic programs.

The schools don’t have a lot of appeal as additions, which is why the Big Ten left Cal and Stanford behind. The Big 12 also added four schools from the Pac-12, but not Cal or Stanford. The ACC even previously declined to add the schools.

So what would be the ACC’s motivation for adding the schools? The Action Network’s Brett McMurphy shared the likely reason. The ACC has 15 current member schools. ESPN has the contractual right to renegotiate the ACC’s media deal if the conference’s membership drops below 15. ESPN might like that opportunity in order to reduce their fees.