The Atlantic Coast Conference Council of Presidents announced today that each of the current and future 15-member institutions has signed a grant of media rights, effective immediately. The news might not mean much at first glance, but according to analysts, the deal will prevent the ACC from having its members poached until the 2026-2027 academic year at the earliest, meaning a likely end, for now, anyway, to the ongoing instability that has marked college conference memberships.
“This is the first recent indication of the long-term promise of mutual stability in one of the conferences most likely to be affected by future realignment,” Kevin O’Malley, a sports media consultant, told SI.com. “It is really significant.”
“This announcement further highlights the continued solidarity and commitment by our member institutions,” said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. “The Council of Presidents has shown tremendous leadership in insuring the ACC is extremely well positioned with unlimited potential.”
“The ACC has long been a leader in intercollegiate athletics, both academically and athletically,” said the collective ACC Council of Presidents. “Collectively, we all agree the grant of rights further positions the ACC and its current and future member schools as one of the nation’s premier conferences.”