ACC commissioner Jim Phillips met with the media via webx over the last hour, and I am going to post my notes here exactly as I typed them during the session.
ACC commissioner Jim Phillips conference call right now:
He calls this a “great” day for the ACC. Also says, You either get busy or you get left behind.”
What was the determining factor to push this through
It was a different proposal than two weeks ago. He wouldn’t go into details but said there were some “specific things that changed” that helped sway some schools. He also said there was no official vote until today. “Massaging the deal points and putting something more attractive” for everyone pushed it through.
How do you plan moving forward unified
Phillips calls this “great” for the ACC for the second time
What are financial arrangements?
Phillips asked what the financial arrangements are, but says he will “allow those schools to share” details depending on “what they are comfortable with.” So, no details from the commissioner in a forum he should be providing all details over this controversial move.
How will revenue be divided among 14 full-time members?
“There’s something for everybody in this” and says it raises revenue (no specifics), aligns with amazing schools, gets the ACC into new markets. But also says this isn’t just about money.
Travel
Note: Biggest hurdle was “we just had great pause about the student-athlete experience” asking what it looks like, and how car the Bay Area is. Long conversations about “How can we and how should we schedule into the future.”
Phillips says they want to eliminate travel burden on student-athletes after bringing in two California schools and a Texas one.
East to West will be every other year for football schools
Three-four trips for Stanford and Cal coming east
Phillips said with Men’s basketball Cal & Stanford will make three-four trips East and play twice when on this side of the country: Play FSU & Miami on one trip, UVA & VT on another, etc.
On bridging the revenue gap -
Phillips asked if this bridge the revenue gap much or is this more about stability?
He says it helps financially but also provides some stability, notes next summer the
“I think that gives you strengths and stability… and if anything happens with your league and a school wants to go somewhere else” you are protected. He also said it addresses some revenue issues.
“This was a good business proposition for us.
As for the ACC Tournament, they have not determined if it will be a five-say or six-day affair or where they could host the event
What’s the message to the schools that voted no?
“Maybe it’s not enough, maybe it is. We are doing everything in our conference” to address those concerns. He added that maybe the success revenue has a positive effect on the schools that have concerns.
Phillips: “This is a very good outcome for the ACC. It has something for everyone… Whether you voted for it” you will benefit from it.
Is this the end of expansion for the ACC?
“You can never say never. But I also believe the ACC has a responsibility to settle things down in the enterprise, and this for me maybe does it.” He didn’t say no “forever” but it’s not on their minds right now.
Will Stanford count as permanent rival for Notre Dame or if it will count as part of its five annual games versus ACC teams?
“The contract is pretty clear. Notre Dame provides the dates for the five ACC games and the ACC office puts the games in on a rotational basis.” So Cal, Stanford & SMU will be a part of that rotation.
Regarding Notre Dame’s stance on the ACC and remaining Independent?
Phillips says his understanding is ND wants to stay as an Indy as long as they have access to the CFP.
Phillips says there have not been discussions to add any ND games above the five that are in the contract. “It’s a really good relationship; we’ll continue in that direction.”
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