ESPN picks up option to televise ACC sports through 2036
According to ESPN’s David Hale and Andrea Adelson on Thursday, ESPN picked up its option with the Atlantic Coast Conference to televise ACC games through 2036. ESPN and the ACC confirmed the deal 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,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. “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.”
“We are pleased to extend our media rights agreement with the ACC through 2036, continuing our longstanding relationship,” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN. “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.”
Per the article, it secures much-needed stability for the conference and now the league can work toward settlements to end Clemson and FSU’s lawsuits against the league. ESPN alluded to a new revenue sharing model that would satisfy the schools’ needs.
Commissioner Jim Phillips described the option as a “look-in” and suggested negotiations could include things like time slots and TV network designations, per The Athletic. Phillips has said repeatedly that the ACC-ESPN partnership isn’t going away, and on Thursday, that came to fruition.
For new league member SMU, this was the final hurdle to watch for as the Mustangs joined the league when there were lots of questions around the future. Phillips shepherded the conference past the look-in and now can focus on continuing to put the conference in position to stay competitive in a money-hungry world of college athletics.
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With revenue sharing and NIL continuing to sit at the forefront for budgets across the country, schools need that opportunity to earn more. Phillips’ plan and different options he’s deploying for universities has calmed the waters, at least for now. Phillips’ success initiatives, which pay up to $25 million to schools, reward qualifying for a bowl game, finishing inside the Top 25 and making a College Football Playoff run.
The ACC Network has been a big hit for ESPN, which had a deal with the network until 2036 on its own. Now, the rest of the ESPN brand is once again fully behind the ACC.
As the ACC leads the way in the Directors Cup with three schools in the top five, 10 schools in the top 25 and 14 institutions among the top 50, Phillips is excited about the rest of the school year for the programs.
“Once again, our fall sports achieved incredible successes and we are extremely proud of our student-athletes and coaches,” said Phillips. “We look forward to supporting our outstanding winter and spring programs as they strive for ACC and NCAA Championships.”
