College football realignment: SEC, Big Ten could target 1 ACC school
Once again, the discussion around college football realignment and expansion is starting to heat up after Florida State and Clemson both filed lawsuits against the ACC with an idea on getting out of the conference, and now insiders are speculating that a third major brand could be next on the list.
That brand? North Carolina, which industry insiders consider the "lynchpin" for either the SEC or the Big Ten, both of whom could be interested in adding the school should another chance at realignment come open, according to a report from Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger.
North Carolina is a prime candidate for conference realignment, given the school's nationally-recognized brands in both basketball and football and the institution's academic reputation.
But market forces could prevent the SEC or Big Ten adding the Tar Heels.
In order to expand, the conferences would have to request more money from their TV deals, as much as $100 million every year, an amount networks may not be willing to pay right now after signing landmark deals with both leagues.
Carolina appears to be open to a move, at least in principle. It was one of the so-called "Magnificent Seven" schools that reportedly looked into finding a way out of the ACC's grant of rights agreement during the expansion rush last offseason.
The conference responded by promising a new revenue-sharing plan that would give more to the concerned schools, but it doesn't appear to be enough for either Florida State or Clemson, who have now taken the ACC to court.
For his part, UNC Board of Trustees chairman Bubba Cunningham has stated that he is committed to the ACC, but has also noted that the school is facing a "revenue gap" that is "getting bigger," in comments to Inside Carolina.
If UNC comes into play for realignment, then NC State could become involved, too. That's because the Board of Governors directs both schools, and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has stated he doesn't believe the universities should play in different leagues.
North Carolina has not taken an overt, public stance to realignment in the way that Florida State or Clemson have, but the current landscape suggests that the school is willing to reconsider its relationship with the ACC if conditions demand it.
Realignment has already forever changed the map of college football, and with Florida State and Clemson making moves, and North Carolina moving into possible consideration, it appears that map will change again very soon.
(Yahoo)
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