Rumor: ACC could lose 40% of revenue but won't die like Pac-12 did
The ACC won't die like the Pac-12 did when it lost UCLA, USC, Washington, and Oregon to the Big Ten, Colorado, Arizona, ASU, and Utah to the Big 12, and Stanford and Cal to the ACC according to college football radio host Greg Swaim. With that said, 40% of the Atlantic Coast Conference's revenue will be lost when FSU and Clemson -- and more than likely, UNC, Louisville, and Miami, among others, down the line -- in the near future.
"Over a year ago we told you in no uncertain terms that the Pac-12 was on their death bed," Swaim prefaced before saying, "Despite all of the vehement denials from fans (and wannabe experts like), we had access to sources that we've been working with since 1988.
"We have similar sources in ACC territory, and while we don't expect the conference to die, it will be down to about 40% of the revenue they now have after defections to the other three P4 conferences."
The ACC was hit with its second lawsuit on March 19 when Clemson sided with FSU in the conference and Tallahassee-based university's ongoing litigation.
"In court documents, Clemson claims that 'the ACC did not hold a vote requesting that its members, including Clemson, approve of the lawsuit against Florida State. Nor has Clemson ever authorized the ACC's lawsuit against Florida State,'" Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger prefaced before saying, "Clemson is on Team Florida State."
ACC could lose Pitt, Virginia Tech, Louisville, NC State to Big 12
Things could go from bad to worse for the ACC if FSU and Clemson's exodus spurns other teams to ditch the conference too. Per Swaim, Pitt, Virginia Tech, Louisville, and NC State all can join the Big 12 after Brett Yormark pushed for expansion during the latest round of College Football Playoff negotiations.
After getting SMU for free for an extended period of time, the ACC may sustain itself by landing Memphis, Tulane, Wazzu, Oregon State, UConn, and USF to buoy itself in the post-FSU/Clemson/UNC era for the conference.