1 more ACC expansion member backs out of adding Stanford, Cal and SMU to the Atlantic amid rumors of possible Big 12 intervention: Reports

The Atlantic Coast Conference has been trying to add three teams, with reports suggesting that SMU, Stanford and Cal could be part of the expansion. However, if the conference is unable to get the three schools to join, there could be another conference that takes the remaining Pac-12 teams.

This notion gained much more validation after it was revealed that another ACC member backed out of polling enough votes to acquire those three schools.

Around 12 votes were essential for the move, and it was reported(per @MHver3) that the board lacked a nod from one of the schools. Now, another member seems to have canceled their vote of approval.

Similarly, College football insider Greg Swaim reckons there's the possibility that the Big 12 Conference could swoop in and take the Pac-12 schools if the ACC expansion falls through.

"There has been some talk that if the #ACC can't get a vote passed to add #Stanford, #CalBears and #SMU early next week, that the #Big12 may take all four remaining #Pac12 schools. I'm not ready to say that's accurate, but something is definitely going on."

---

What is the next step for ACC expansion if it fails to land the three Pac-12 teams?

The Atlantic Coast Conference has not yet added any teams. The other three Power Five conferences (Big Ten, Big 12 and Southeastern Conference) have all added programs in 2024, so the ACC needs to step up.

While the Atlantic Coast Conference has a fixed amount of money, as it is in the middle of a 20-year media rights deal, it's reported that it could make an estimated $55 million with three new teams. If they do not want to deal with the West Coast, they could always add teams from other conferences instead.

With the Group of Five conferences, specifically the Sun Belt Conference, the ACC could get teams geographically closer to their hub. The downside would be the fact these teams might not agree to not getting conference money, as SMU, California and Stanford have already done.

That could make things a bit complicated, as Clemson and Florida State have been vocal about wanting more money from the conference. While there are other programs that could join the Atlantic Coast Conference, it would not be the best thing for the conference.