Stanford, Cal and SMU put Western and Southwestern flavor into Atlantic Coast Conference
The next big domino to fall in conference realignment was Stanford. Where would the Cardinal land after Oregon and Washington moved to the Big Ten and the Four Corners schools moved to the Big 12? The Pac-12 splintered and died, leaving behind anarchy in college sports realignment and forcing Stanford and Cal to scramble for an alternative solution.
More than a week ago, San Francisco Chronicle columnist Mike Silver was first with the news that Stanford, Cal and SMU were likely headed to the ACC. Other outlets then confirmed the story.
Reaction was swift and opinionated, as you could readily imagine.
Then came Friday morning’s report from Ross Dellenger that Stanford, Cal, and SMU had been voted into the ACC. The 11-4 vote blocking the move — the ACC needed 12 votes to approve — did not hold the line. One concession was all it took.
It’s final: ACC presidents have approved expansion to add Stanford, Cal and SMU, sources tell @YahooSports, ending a month-long saga into an issue that divided the league.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) September 1, 2023
Let’s look at some of the more salient points about the ACC’s situation, Stanford and Cal’s new reality, the SMU angle, and the unfortunate turn of events for Oregon State and Washington State, which now represent the Pac-2 and will almost certainly have to settle for some sort of arrangement with the Mountain West Conference:
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE COLUMNIST
I'm told Cal, Stanford and SMU are in the process of finalizing a deal to join the ACC in football, men's basketball and women's basketball… @sfchronicle @SportingGreenSF
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) August 23, 2023
THE NOTRE DAME EQUATION
Notre Dame could join the ACC and it be contingent on Cal and Stanford joining by they won't do it.
The ACC never should have got into bed with Notre Dame. https://t.co/HBPj2QJfKz
— Ashley Short (@arshort2) August 23, 2023
EXPECT THE NO SIDE TO WIN
Does the ACC adding Stanford, SMU and Cal make it more attractive for FSU to stay? RT after voting! #GoNoles #FSUtwitter
— NolePolls (@NolePolls) August 23, 2023
BASKETBALL BLOODBATH
Stanford and Cal were 9-31 in Pac-12 men's basketball last season, but I'm sure they'll do fine in the ACC.
— Al Wasser (@AlWasser1) August 23, 2023
AAC ANGLE
SMU to the ACC along with Stanford and Cal. WSU/OSU officially screwed and P12 is dead.
Question is…who does AAC backfill with? Texas State? ODU? Army? If backfilled with a SBC team, who does the SBC backfill with? Too many damn moving parts to predict…🤯 https://t.co/OWj8OIhdPl
— Jay Lump (@JAY_LUMP) August 23, 2023
SEEMS ACCURATE
Seems the ACC adding Cal Stanford and SMU is more about getting ahead of future defections. Imagine if the Pac 12 had done the same by adding SDSU Fresno SMU and Boise. There'd still be a conference despite defections and possibly would have kept more schools together. pic.twitter.com/IwIKSMQivO
— WestWorldSports (@WestWorldSports) August 23, 2023
INTERESTING POINT
Considering what Cal/Stanford are offering for the ACC, it would be mind numbing for FOX/B1G to not make an offer at this point, They would control the west coast recruiting map/TV slots and undermine ESPNs stability in CFB for a FRACTIONAL cost.
— Tyler Tomei (@TomeiTyler) August 23, 2023
LOGIC VS ABSURDITY -- ABSURDITY USUALLY WINS
This has got to be posturing. I can't imagine Stanford and Cal joining the ACC. That's the absolute worst for travel…. it's the only realignment that's more ridiculous than USC/UCLA alone joining the B1G. B1G better step up and finish that West Coast pod!!
— TK421NotAtPost (@TK421NotAtPost) August 23, 2023
BREAKING POINT
Cal and Stanford to the ACC is the only realignment moment that I haven’t been able to stomach , cmon man https://t.co/lgPBTOKLQz
— e (@vgkounola) August 23, 2023
MONEY TALKS
Stanford getting their own category on Jeopardy and now I finally understand why some ACC presidents are pushing for their addition… pic.twitter.com/UVpGp7IvDi
— Joe Ovies (@joeovies) August 23, 2023
DO ANY OF YOU AGREE WITH THIS?
While most Cal fans would have preferred the Pac 12 there is one advantage I see if Cal and Stanford join the ACC. The ignorance of Cal sports is partly due to the time zone. Watch how much more coverage we get by playing games that are conducive to east coast audiences.
— Mike Riley (@mikelriley58) August 23, 2023
ENDOWMENTS MATTER
I know Stanford has an unlimited endowment, but being willing to take as little as $8M per year to join the ACC is bananas.
— summer of jer (@JaRomney) August 23, 2023
IT DOES FEEL DESPERATE
The ACC adding three members that don’t even come close to paying for themselves, but using their desperation to stuff more money in the pockets of existing members is truly one of the most ridiculous things I’ve seen in 20 years of college sports. Have some self respect.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) August 23, 2023
NOTABLE
The fact that UNC's women's soccer coach walked back very strong comments opposing Stanford/Cal to the ACC tells me that this is very strong possibility. https://t.co/gTiPJqW8WY
— NC Football News (@NCFootballNews) August 23, 2023
MEDIA MARKETS
Hardly a windfall, but strategically Stanford, Cal and SMU would add the S.F./Oakland/San Jose (#6) and Dallas-Ft. Worth (#5) media markets and turn the ACC into an 18-member national conference.
— Allan Schlosser (@AllanSchlosser) August 23, 2023
GREAT CAL FAN TWEET
If this does happen, I can't wait for the first Cal-UNC football game hosted in Berkeley. If Mack Brown is still their coach, the boos better be loud and continuous. https://t.co/UKymtmAnxY
— Robert Cruickshank (@cruickshank) August 23, 2023
SPECULATION
Ok, done.
Stanford and Cal aren't going to increase the money enough to make it worth it.
I stand by my point. If there was a benefit to adding Cal and Stanford, the ACC wouldn't have gotten a chance to add them. pic.twitter.com/VOiYVZ5ISJ
— Erik (@Erik_Rogers_) August 23, 2023
ACC-BASED RADIO HOST
Like I’ve said, in spite of Stanford and Cal (and SMU) being well outside the footprint, there is a financial benefit to adding. https://t.co/P17PFw3Kkv
— Adam Gold (@AGoldFan) August 23, 2023
ONE COLUMNIST'S VIEW
As I wrote, the ACC should do it: https://t.co/XgiJ0pCNwz https://t.co/gb2kJ8Aj0S
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) August 23, 2023
A DIFFERENT VIEW
I am just not into this in the least 😭 https://t.co/IBg5C1bYvF
— Caroline Darney (@cwdarney) August 23, 2023
AGAINST-THE-GRAIN VIEWPOINT
Technically the Cal and Stanford players are already used to making big weekend trips- they obviously weren't nearly as long as the ACC trips will be but aside from USC/UCLA all of the old Pac-12 weekend trips were pretty lengthy- it was never really a nice, compact league.
— William Satterwhite (@willpsone) August 23, 2023
BIG QUESTIONS
Bringing in SMU for free for next 7 years and having California & Stanford added at discount be considered radical change to distribution model?
Would this satisfy FSU, North Carolina & Clemson?
Or do those schools need their future ACC exit skids greased to make deal happen? pic.twitter.com/RS82KPeIeU
— Greg Flugaur (@flugempire) August 23, 2023
SORRY, BEAVERS AND COUGS
It goes without saying this would be a life-saver for Stanford and Cal if it happens (and it sounds like it could very quickly), but also dash any remaining hopes for Oregon State/Wazzu of reviving the Pac-(insert your number). https://t.co/zenfLbg67u
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) August 23, 2023
