Clemson’s ACC exit could come ‘sooner than later’, per report

Clemson could be eyeing a move away from the ACC in the coming months.

According to the Post and Courier’s Gene Sapakoff, Clemson officials are working behind the scenes on a potential exit from the ACC.

Here’s an excerpt from the story:

School administrators indicate an announcement about a Clemson bolt from its growing financial disadvantage in the ACC relative to SEC and Big Ten schools is coming soon, probably along with Florida State and North Carolina and perhaps another ACC school or more — even as University of South Carolina officials try to block Clemson from the SEC.

How soon?

“Sooner than later,” a Clemson senior administrator said last week when asked about a timetable.

Sometime in 2023?

“Stay very tuned,” the administrator said.

The primary reason for Clemson’s departure would be the growing revenue gap between teams in the SEC and Big Ten compared to other conference’s nationally. The ACC’s media rights deal, which drives much of the revenue for athletic departments, runs through 2036.

Clemson is bound by the ACC’s Grant of Rights until 2036, but a source told Sapakoff that it can be negotiated if Clemson has “strength in the numbers.” If enough ACC programs attempt to break the Grant of Rights, it could help soften the financial blow on the Tigers.

Florida State officials made headlines back in the summer with regards to how revenue is shared in the ACC. Florida State president Rick McCullough said FSU would consider leaving the league if there’s not “radical change” in revenue distributions

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Clemson, Florida State and North Carolina all voted against the additions of Stanford, Cal and SMU in 2024. However, those 3 programs will be joining the league next season as they were approved by 12 of the ACC’s 15 members.

Clemson has been an ACC member since 1953.