Jim Phillips Breaks Down Clemson-Notre Dame Deal as Tigers Eye Conference Shift

As the Atlantic Coast Conference gathers momentum in navigating its future, one seemingly unrelated development has raised eyebrows: Clemson’s new 12-game series against Notre Dame, set to begin in 2027. 

The agreement, which will run through 2038, was announced earlier this month but has sparked interesting speculation about the Tigers' future in the ACC — and possibly beyond.

At the ACC Spring Meetings in Amelia Island, Commissioner Jim Phillips clarified that only five of the 12 games in the series fall under the league's existing agreement with Notre Dame. The remaining seven, which were added outside of the ACC’s regular rotation, do not count toward the five mandatory matchups the Irish must play against ACC teams annually.

The ACC’s stance is clear: While Clemson and Notre Dame are forging their own deal, the rest of the league will not be impacted by the new series, which raises the question: Is this a signal that Clemson’s long-term future could lie outside the ACC?

With Clemson’s football program becoming a powerhouse in the conference, some experts speculate that the Tigers are strategically setting up their schedule to maintain a relationship with Notre Dame as they eye an eventual move to the SEC or Big Ten. 

The games that don't count toward the ACC's required matchups would allow Clemson to continue facing the Irish even after potential conference realignment beyond 2030.