Report: SMU Mustangs in 'consideration' for ACC expansion

While three of the former Power Five conferences have expanded this offseason, the ACC has been left behind thus far. Commissioner Jim Phillips is looking to make at least a couple of additions, exploring the options of Cal and Stanford from the soon-to-be dissolved Pac-12. However, a Group of Five name is reportedly in the running to join alongside the West Coast duo.

According to Yahoo’s Ross Dellenger, the SMU Mustangs are “in consideration” to be part of the ACC’s expansion. Conference administrators are reportedly going to be looking at the financial scenarios of adding the Dallas-based program, weighing it against adding just Cal and Stanford.

“The expansion conversation in the ACC goes beyond Stanford & Cal,” Dellenger began via Twitter. “A third school, SMU, is in consideration, sources tell @YahooSports. Administrators are expected to review financial models of all scenarios: adding all three or only the Pac-12 two.”

The ACC would not be the first conference SMU has discussed joining in recent times. Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff was in the Park Cities during basketball season, meeting with high-ranking Mustang officials. Dellenger says the Big 12 has been in contact in the past year too.

Plenty of advantages work in SMU’s favor as the ACC takes them under consideration. They are located in Dallas, bringing a potential large media market to the conference. Rhett Lashlee has the Mustangs ready to compete as well, recruiting the area well and seemingly having a bright future.

However, the biggest reported draw is the financial implications of having SMU join. Dellenger says due to the backing of the alumni, SMU would willing to skip a few years of distribution pay. The ACC would not have to pay the program out for several years on the current television contract.

“The university would arrive at a reduced rate,” Dellenger said. “Employing a rich donor base and a healthy desire to advance to the Power Four level, the university is open to forgoing conference distribution pay for their first several years in a new league. SMU officials held similar conversations with Pac-12 administrators.”

If the decision to add all three of Cal, Stanford, and SMU becomes official, the ACC will have a ton of new territory to work with. California and Texas are booming areas of the country, with the Lone Star State being football obsessed.

As schools such as Clemson, Florida State, and even North Carolina attempt to leave the ACC, conference officials are attempting to at least compete against the Big Ten and SEC.