I'm a little surprised this actually happened. I mean after all the moved the Big-10, SEC and Big-12 made, the ACC just had to do something. If they hadn't, I think the Big-12 might have taken the 4 remaining Pac-12 schools, which probably made more sense for Cal and Stanford. I assume the smaller ACC members did something to sway NCSU's vote. They were considered to be the swing vote.
This is going to be a LOT harder on Cal and Stanford than the other ACC members. Current ACC members will probably have to make 1 cross country trip a year for football. Cal and Stanford are probably going to have 4, maybe 5 if they go to a 9 game conference schedule. Now imagine that scenario for every single non revenue sport. Not just the wear and tear of travel, but imagine the effects of jet lag on the student athletes and their grades.
Nothing says Atlantic Coast Conference like a school that plays in a stadium, from which you can see the Pacific Ocean (Cal-Berkeley). Side note: visited their campus and stadium when we were in the Bay Area a few years ago. Hope to go back when we play them in 2027.
Stanford will likely accept, since PAC 10 being blowed up, and Notre Dame--their biggest rival--is pretty much in ACC already. Cal, much less likely to, imho. SMU more of a coin toss.
Why would Cal and SMU not accept? SMU approached the ACC saying they'd take no TV money for 9 years to get in. This is their way into being back in a power conference. Their wealthy donors are going to float the cost of team operations for 9 years just to get into a major conference. Stanford and Cal have already agreed in principal to take a 30% share. What choice do they have? If they don't take what's offered, they will no longer even be in a second tier conference, probably end up in the MWC with an annual payout of about $4M or as an independent. They have no alternative, unless the Big-12 swoops in at the last minute ... which would be funny.
As another side note, apparently an earthquake fault line (San Andreas Fault?) runs right through the stadium. I think one can see te fault as a crack running through the stands with one side moving north while the other side moves south. Maybe the an earthquake will swallow up the FSU Team.
They can be replaced for all I care but UNC and UVA have the rich southern history that fits perfect in the SEC teams. Plus they’ll get better and are respectable. Would be huge in basketball too
