ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips feeling optimistic about future of conference
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Commissioner Jim Phillips said he has “never felt better” about the conference’s relationship with ESPN at the commissioner’s forum at the ACC Football Kickoff at The Westin Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The three-day event kicked off with Phillips addressing the future of the conference and talking about the current state of the conference amidst talks of bigger programs, like Florida State and Clemson, potentially leaving for a bigger payday in another conference.
Phillips addressed the state of the conference and went into depth on several topics in an hour-long forum which concluded with questions from the media.
"After the spring, if we wouldn't have had any discussions... I might have felt differently," Phillips said. "The regularity with which the board is meeting now and the regularity of our (athletic directors) meeting and how good ESPN has been... You have a lot of mutually beneficial outcomes in this thing.
“So staying together, working collaboratively, working strategically. We have some other things that we're working on that I can't address with this group right now that are pretty exciting to try to address that revenue gap."
Notre Dame & ACC: ACC commissioner Jim Phillips addresses conference realignment buzz, Notre Dame's future
FSU AD Michael Alford has been gunning for a new revenue distribution model that rewards schools that brings the league a more significant share of the wealth, he stated at the ACC spring meetings his preference is to stay in the ACC.
Alford said he fears the ACC is in danger of falling behind both the SEC and Big Ten in revenue by about $30 million per year when their respective new television contracts start (Big Ten in 2023, SEC in 2024).
"We remain in constant communication with Disney and ESPN, as there is no single business partnership in our industry that is valued more than with a conference's media rights holder," Phillips said. "In certainly one of the most turbulent times in history for both media and college sports, I and the ACC have never felt better about our relationship than we do today.
"Our commitment to collaborate on the way the ACC from a revenue and exposure standpoint has been unwavering."
FSU, Clemson, and other top-tier programs in the ACC are looking to keep up with the SEC powerhouses like Alabama and Georgia to not lose any competitive balance.
Phillips said the initial goal is the close the gap with the other conferences.
“Instead of trying to get a number, try to bridge it as far as you can. How do you get it done? You work collaboratively. That's what we've done,” Phillips said.
“Those two institutions have been terrific to work with. I mean, they have great leadership. Rick McCullough is a wonderful guy. Jim Clements is a wonderful guy. They love sports and their institutions, and I know they also love the ACC and are trying to figure a way through.
“But it's all of our schools, right? All of our schools are incentivized to make sure that we have as healthy of a financial portfolio as we possibly can.”
Head coach Mike Norvell, quarterback Jordan Travis, defensive end Jared Verse and linebacker Kalen DeLoach will represent FSU at the 2023 ACC Football Kickoff, speaking Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. EST.
CFP representation
Clemson is an annual threat to make the College Football Playoffs. FSU, which is coming off a 10-win season and a Cheez-It Bowl victory over Oklahoma, also has its eyes set on the CFP heading into Year 4 under head coach Mike Norvell.
Phillips reminded the media in attendance of the ACC’s ability to get teams to the playoffs.
“Heading into this year the ACC has placed the second most teams in the CFP," Phillips said. "Since the inception of the playoff and over the last decade, the ACC has won the second most football national championships."
Northwestern hazing scandal and Jim Phillips
Phillips was Northwestern's athletic director from 2008 to 2021 before taking the commissioner role. The school has been under severe scrutiny following an investigation of a hazing scandal that led to head coach Pat Fitzgerald's firing after 17 seasons.
He, along with Fitzgerald, Phillips, NU's board of trustees, university president Michael Schill, current athletic director Derrick Gragg and former university president Morton Schapiro are listed as defendants.
“This is a very difficult time for the Northwestern community, and my heart goes out to any person who carries the burden of mistreatment or who has been harmed in any way,” Phillips said.
“During my 30-year career in college athletics, my highest priority has always been the health and safety of all student-athletes. As you know, with this matter in litigation, I'm unable to share anything more at this time.”
Exclusive: FSU softball coach Lonni Alameda talks WCWS location, 2023 season and 2024
Women’s sports and the addition of gymnastics
Phillips addressed the future of women’s sports during the opening monologue of his forum.
The ACC will add its 15th women’s sport in gymnastics. FSU does not have a gymnastics team at this time.
The Seminoles did have success in women’s soccer (reached Women’s College Cup), women’s basketball (NCAA Tournament first round) and softball (Women’s College World Series Championship series).
“In February the ACC announced in partnership with Disney and Ally, whose headquarters are across the street from our new office, that Ally was becoming an official sponsor,” Phillips said.
“In addition to their sponsorship of the league, Ally is a title sponsor of the ACC women's basketball tournament and women's soccer championship and was the presenting sponsor of the 2023 ACC women's lacrosse championship. …
“We are also thrilled with our collective commitment to the support and advancement of women's sports, and I applaud our Disney and ESPN partners for working aggressively to foster this amazing relationship.”
ACC Network Summer Road Trip
The ACC Network will continue its Summer Road Trip Tour to preview the upcoming season. They will kick off the series this year by visiting Tallahassee and Florida State on Aug. 7.
The news was announced following Phillips' forum.
Reach Ehsan Kassim at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).
No one covers the ‘Noles like the Tallahassee Democrat. Subscribe using the link at the top of the page and never miss a moment.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips addresses future of conference
