Cal, Stanford and SMU reportedly closing in on ACC invite as financials get ironed out
Could the California Golden Bears make their way into the ACC this week?
After a Big 12 rumor came and likely went, Cal and Stanford continue to take dead aim at an ACC invite. The terms appear to have not changed much since first presented, but we appear to be getting closer to a resolution.
Mike Silver indicates that things are starting to close in for a deal for the two programs, along with SMU.
It looks increasingly likely that Cal, Stanford and SMU and the ACC will close a deal to bring those three schools to the conference, in all sports in which the ACC competes.
Brandon Marcello of 247Sports offered additional confirmation.
Sources: Resolution on ACC expansion expected in the next few days. Room is warming to adding Cal, SMU and Stanford. Current members working together but still much to discuss and financial details to hammer out. Votes are “really close,” one source told @247Sports.
More details on where everything stands come from Ross Dellenger.
After meetings Thursday, ACC commissioner Jim Phillips has now presented a financial model to all presidents & ADs. If ESPN meets obligations, additions of Stanford/Cal/SMU would add $70M+ in annual revenue. Talks are on-going.
An important note: While Cal & Stanford may start at 30% share & SMU at 0, they will: - see shares eventually escalate over remaining 13 yrs of the GoR - still receive ACC shares from NCAAT, CFP & incentive pool of revenue from expansion ($5-10M a year)
I should emphasize I have no insider knowledge, but based on all the reporting the financials needed to make this work so that aren’t drastic cutbacks in the athletic department or an urgent need for rapid donations, we will end up with a total of the following.
$8-10 million in reduced ACC Tier 1 media rights to start, as Dellenger reported. But this number is an escalator and will gradually increase to near the full amount by the end of the Grant of Rights in 2036.
$5-10 million in ACC playoff + tourney payouts, as reported by Dellenger
$8-10 million in Calimony allocated from UCLA’s Big Ten deal, as set by the UC Regents and will likely now have to be mandated by UC President Michael Drake.
All in all, it’s about $21-31 million to start for the 2024 season, but those payouts will likely increase over time, which should allow Cal enough financial flexibility to keep most of their department in a good place, with likely some need for additional donations.
Regarding sports that would come along for the ride, the sports that exist in the ACC that also exist in Cal Athletics include:
Basketball
Baseball
Cross country
Women’s field hockey
Football
Golf
Women’s gymnastics
Women’s lacrosse
Women’s rowing
Soccer
Softball
Swimming and diving
Tennis
Track and field
Women’s volleyball
This would leave rugby (which has a Pac conference with Arizona, UCLA and Utah), men’s and women’s water polo (who will likely stay in the MPSF), men’s gymnastics, men’s rowing, and beach volleyball needing to find safe harbor elsewhere.
Cal fans, how are you all feeling?
Very unhappy that the non-revenue sports will be forced to travel across the country. This should be a football and basketball only deal.
Best of the non B10 outcomes, so I’ll take it (assuming we’ll make the financials work).
As a side note, curious to know if B10 leadership is looking at this and wondering if they fucked up by waiting too long to try and add Cal/Furd at a discount.