3 ACC teams to remain stranded after conference realignment strikes, with teams awaiting the Big 12, SEC and Big Ten expansion ticket: REPORT

The future of the ACC in the college athletics landscape continues to remain uncertain amid potential conference realignment moves. The league is currently under threat as a host of schools are reportedly working toward an exit, which could be damaging.

College football insider Greg Swaim sees a potential breakup of the league in the next couple of years. This is very likely if ESPN doesn't extend its television contract beyond 2026. A breakup would see a host of teams move to other Power conferences, just like the Pac-12 scenario.

While ACC teams make realignment moves to the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12 following a breakup, Swaim reports that three teams are likely to be left out. Swaim notes they are not in consideration of any of the Power conferences at the moment. These three are the newcomers in the conference; Stanford, Cal and SMU.

Swaim took to X and said:

"The three new ACC additions could be in a world of hurt, as no one is really talking about them...at all, good or bad, other than the #Big12 absolutely doesn't want #SMU, #Stanford or #Cal, as there is not a cultural fit."

A lot could happen in the next couple of years within the conference and avoiding the Pac-12 situation will be its leadership goal. There’s a huge commitment within the management to ensure the league survives the ongoing turmoil.

ACC Commissioner says ESPN will stay with the conference

ESPN's decision to not exercise the option to extend the media deal for another 10 years in 2026 could mean the death of the ACC. However, ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips expressed his confidence during the Media Days that the network will remain with the conference.

“Our partnership with ESPN is not going away. It’s not going away. We have talked to them about additional resources and how do we monetize it. We’re 50/50 partners on that,” Phillips said.

"They’re as motivated as we are to generate more revenue for the overall television deal. I’m very optimistic about where we’re going with them. They understand the importance. I’ll just leave it at that."

The push to leave the conference by many teams is aimed at getting a better financial package elsewhere and it is to be seen how much the ACC can grow revenue to convince them to stay. Better annual earnings could calm the storm within the conference.