While Florida State-Big 12 rumors seem to dominate the conference realignment chatter recently, many have tabbed Clemson as another possible defector from the ACC. Recent announcements of a new media rights deal for the conference -- as well as the establishment of a Big 12-SEC bowl for their conference champions -- have led to discussions regarding the future of the ACC in major college football.Clemson athletic director Terry Don Phillips sat down on Monday with TigerNet.com to address the recent media rights deal, conference realignment rumors, and the changing landscape of college football.
Phillips specifically mentioned two aspects of the ACC's recent media rights deal, reportedly worth $3.6 billion over the next 15 years. He mentioned two "look-in" windows -- one at five years and one at 10 years -- where the conference could potentially see an increase in the rights fee. He also revealed what many have assumed for a long time. Even in the ACC, football is driving media rights negotiations.
"For example, in this latest contract with ESPN, 80 percent of it is generated by football," Phillips told TigerNet.com. "As good as basketball has been in the ACC, it is very evident just through this contract that the football has to be very, very relevant."
The 80 percent figure is likely an estimation, but the fact that Clemson's athletic director is willing to go that high on the record speaks to the level of concern within the league. My biggest takeaway from the interview (click here to read the entire Q&A) was the ACC's willingness to admit that football must improve across the league in order to avoid getting left behind by the Big 4.
"The only thing that I feel confident in saying is that I believe that the ACC understands the challenges that we have going forward that football is strong and gets stronger," Phillips said. "We cannot afford to lose our seat at the table when it comes to the BCS and championships going forward. We simply cannot afford to allow that to happen. The conference and the conference leadership, as well as the presidents, understand the importance that has to be placed on football going forward."
Phillips went on to say that "there's nothing of such between Clemson University and the Big 12" when asked if there had been any contact or talks about a possible departure from the ACC. But he also said the administration will do what's best for Clemson, and stressed that the conference has to perform at a high level in football.
For all the latest conference realignment news, including reports from the ACC and Big East spring meetings, check out Brett McMurphy's blog.
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