Super-Conferences here we come? The Atlantic Coast Conference might be taking the first steps. The conferences agreed to add Pittsburgh and Syracuse on Sunday.
It is a move that many have seen coming since the two school announced plans to leave the Big East. It wasn’t a cheap move for the schools, the Big East’s exit fee is $5 million, and schools wanting to leave must provide 27 months’ notice, according to The Associated Press.
The move strengthens the ACC both athletically and academically.
“We are constantly evaluating the competitive landscape to ensure the conference’s viability for years to come, and this, I believe, has staying power,” ACC Commissioner John Swofford told reporters during a conference call Sunday.
The question in everyone’s minds now: Will they keep going? ACC presidents unanimously voted to add the two schools bringing the total teams in the league to 14. But will they stop there?
“First of all, we are very comfortable with this 14,” Swottord said. “The only thing I would add to that is that we are not philosophically opposed to 16. But for now we are very pleased with this 14. We think it is just an excellent group.”
But everyone knows that college athletics is undergoing dramatic changes currently. The Pac-12 has been linked to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. The Big 12 might be disbanding. Texas has been rumored to be in talks with the ACC or even going independent. Meanwhile, Texas A&M already has announced its intention to join the Southeastern Conference.
“I can say that in all my years of collegiate athletics administration, I’ve never seen this level of uncertainty and potential fluidity in schools and conferences,” Swofford said. “Schools, they’re looking for stability, and when that stability doesn’t exist, for whatever reason, as long as that’s going on, I think the conferences that appear to be stable moving forward are going to receive inquiries from schools that are desirous of having that kind of stability.”
As details continue to trickle out and deals continue to be made, it could be possible that by the start the 2015 season with two or three 16 team Super-Conferences.
Buckle up, it’s going to be a wild ride.
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