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ACC adds Cal, SMU, Stanford; Pac-12 down to two schools

AP photo by Godofredo A. Vásquez / Stanford defensive lineman Jaxson Moi, right, tackles California running back Jaydn Ott during their Big Game rivalry matchup last Nov. 19 in Berkeley, Calif. Both of the Pac-12 schools, along with SMU of the American Athletic Conference, will join the ACC next year. AP photo by Godofredo A. Vásquez / Stanford defensive lineman Jaxson Moi, right, tackles California running back Jaydn Ott during their Big Game rivalry matchup last Nov. 19 in Berkeley, Calif. Both of the Pac-12 schools, along with SMU of the American Athletic Conference, will join the ACC next year.

By The Associated Press September 1, 2023 8 min read

The Atlantic Coast Conference voted Friday to add California, Southern Methodist University and Stanford next year, providing a landing spot for two more schools from the disintegrating Pac-12 and creating a fourth super conference in major college sports.

The move provides the ACC a windfall of revenue for its current members.

“It really is a transformational day for the ACC,” commissioner Jim Phillips said.

Starting in August 2024, the league with Tobacco Road roots in North Carolina will increase its number of football-playing schools to 17, with that number 18 in most other sports as Notre Dame remains independent in football.

The ACC needed 12 of its 15 members to approve expansion, and the vote was not unanimous.