Three takeaways from ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips' address

ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips stood in front of media from all over the ACC Wednesday morning, addressing a variety of topics that included expansion, NIL, conference headquarters relocation and much more. Throughout his remarks, Phillips focussed on maintaining a traditional model of college athletics that benefits all student athletes, not just football and basketball players.

The Wolfpacker put together several takeaways from the press conference that shed some light on where the conference is headed.

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1) Expansion is not a certainty

Phillips made it very clear that the conference is in discussions with ESPN about the conference’s member schools going forward. He emphasized that the ACC and the network are equal partners and will work together in the future to decide the best course of action.

“We’re looking at our TV contract,” Phillips said. “We’re in engagement daily — almost daily with our partners at ESPN. I openly talk about ESPN because we are 50/50 partners on our network, and so they’re motivated, we’re motivated. We’ve come together to have some discussions about what would be the next iteration for the ACC. It doesn’t mean we’re going to make a move. It doesn’t mean we’re not going to make a move, but all options are on the table.”

Keeping all options open was a common thread throughout the press conference, and Phillips said they are considering a variety of opportunities regarding the conference’s GOR and future TV deals. With that being said, Phillips also said he does not necessarily think expansion is the only solution to closing the constantly-expanding revenue chasm between the ACC and other conferences.

“I don’t know that it’s the only solution,” Phillips said. “I think you have to look creatively. We’ve been doing that over the last year. We’re going to continue to do that.

“All neighborhoods need to be healthy. It’s not good for college athletics if we’re not, and, again, you heard my reference earlier. We understand where those two leagues are. No one is ignoring that. We’re all trying to find ways to close that gap.”

2) The ACC is embracing an expanded college football playoff

After expressing hesitancy in the past about expanding the playoff from the four-team model, Phillips spoke in support of a potential change.

“The ACC continues to be supportive of an expanded college football playoff,” Phillips said. “As you know, the ACC took what we believe was a necessary stance regarding last fall’s CFP proposal. This was based on what we feel we must all come together to address before rushing into a new model.”

Earlier this summer, the ACC made a switch to a 3-3-5 scheduling model. Phillips said that change was a response to the potential for playoff expansion.

3) Phillips supports Notre Dame’s independence but remains optimistic about its relationship with the ACC

The commissioner stated during his press conference that he is confident the ACC will not lose teams as a result of recent reshuffling occurring all over the country. As far as adding teams goes, Phillips said the conference will not rush into a move.

Notre Dame, and its partnership with the ACC, was a hot topic once again at Media Day. Phillips has worked at Notre Dame and says he realizes how crucial independence is to the school’s identity.

“We continue to remain close with Notre Dame,” Phillips said. “They know how we feel. They know that we would love to have them as a football member in the conference, but we also, and I also, respect their independence.”

“I know that, if there comes a time that Notre Dame would consider moving to a conference and away from independence, I feel really good about it being the ACC.”

Other noteworthy moments:

• It sounds like the ACC is growing closer to a decision on its headquarters relocation. Both Charlotte and Greensboro are still being considered, and Orlando, Florida, is the third option.

• Phillips spoke out in support of NIL, but he also emphasized throughout his press conference that he wants more regulation surrounding the deals. He specifically called on Congress for support.

• In a humorous slip-up, Phillips accidentally said the ACC has 17 member schools. He quickly corrected himself as every reporter in-attendance immediately looked up. No breaking news on that front, for now.