ACC exploring possibility of adding Stanford, Cal

ACC exploring possibility of adding Stanford, Cal

The ACC is exploring the possibility of adding Stanford and California, according to multiple reports Monday.

ACC athletic directors and presidents are set to meet this week, though ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that any discussions involving expansion are in the “embryonic stages.” Stanford and Cal are among four teams remaining in the Pac-12 beyond the 2023-24 athletic year after mass defections in the last week.

Oregon and Washington announced they will head to the Big Ten in 2024, joining USC and UCLA as Pac-12 alums joining that league. Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State and Utah are all leaving for the Big 12 after the current athletic year.

The ACC currently has 14 members, and has its media rights locked in through 2036. However, Florida State and Clemson — among other schools — appear to be seeking an exit strategy.

Should Stanford and California join the ACC, that would leave only Oregon State and Washington State among current Pac-12 members without a future home. The conference’s media rights expire on June 30, 2024.