ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips publicly addresses conference's extension with ESPN

The ACC and ESPN have officially announced that the two will remain partners through the 2035-36 academic year. ESPN had an option on a TV deal with the league through 2036 that it needed to make a decision on, and the league has decided to remain with the conference.

News broke earlier Thursday that ESPN was planning to pick up its option, and the network has now officially done so.

ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips addressed the league’s partnership with ESPN in a press release.

“We appreciate the ongoing partnership with ESPN and their enduring commitment that further solidifies the ACC as a premier league in all facets,” ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said in a statement. “The extension showcases the importance of our long-standing relationship, and I want to personally thank the entire ESPN team for their leadership and dedication to our collective future.

“In addition, I want to thank our ACC Board of Directors who have been involved throughout this entire process. The resolve from both parties to further enhance the partnership through innovation and creativity to continue to drive additional value remains our top priority.”

ESPN and the ACC have been partners for more than 35 years. ESPN launched the ACC Network back in 2019, taking its coverage of the conference to another level.

ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro also released a statement about the ACC and ESPN working together through 2036.

“We are pleased to extend our media rights agreement with the ACC through 2036, continuing our longstanding relationship,” Pitaro said. “We remain committed to serving the ACC, its member schools, student athletes and fans via comprehensive live game coverage, storytelling and broad exposure across our unprecedented array of networks and platforms, including ACC Network. The ACC is a pillar of ESPN’s leading commitment to college sports and we are thrilled to continue the partnership over the next decade.”

ACC working towards potential resolution with Clemson, FSU

The ACC is reportedly working towards a potential resolution with Clemson and Florida State.

According to ESPN’s David Hale, ESPN and the conference could reach an agreement that would lead to Florida State and Clemson dropping their lawsuits against the conference to get out of the league.

“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,” wrote Hale. “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.”