ESPN has picked up the option on its television deal with the ACC, extending it through 2036, according to a report from ESPN. The TV agreement would have expired in 2027 had ESPN not done so.
Now that that’s done, the ACC’s next step is agreeing on a new revenue distribution model that will lead to both Clemson and FSU dropping their lawsuits against the league. This mostly involves making up reasons to give more money to its angriest children, near as I can tell.
Under the proposed plan, a percentage of the ACC’s television revenue would be included in a “brand” fund, and that money would then be distributed to schools that annually generate the most revenue for the conference in football and men’s and women’s basketball — with Clemson, Florida State, Miami and North Carolina likely at the top of the pyramid, sources told ESPN.
Should that agreement be finalized — something sources said is not imminent but was closely tied to the ESPN option — Clemson and Florida State would be expected to drop their lawsuits.
“Specific metrics” tied to this brand fund have not been settled but no doubt they’ll involve television ratings benchmarks. FSU folks love their TV ratings!
The most noteworthy thing out of all of this is that as part of any settlement agreement, Clemson/FSU want a reduction in fees for exiting the ACC’s Grant of Rights, beginning in 2031. That’s also when the next round of major TV contract negotiations for the SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12 are scheduled.
Bottom line: it seems the current ACC membership will remain intact until at least 2031. So we got that going for us!