The ACC’s “Magnificent 7”, are seven schools that have met over the past few months to examine the ACC’s grant-of-rights and potential ways to get out of the conference have been identified.
According to Brett McMurphy of Action Network, Clemson, Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Virginia, and Virginia Tech are the “Magnificent 7” that was discussed by Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger in recent reports. Dellenger confirmed that those seven schools are the “Magnificent 7” on Twitter shortly afterward.
As of right now, the ACC’s deal runs through 2036 which would keep each of its members’ schools locked into the conference until then. However, with the “Magnificent 7’s” recent actions, it’s clear, there is a likelihood that realignment within the ACC could take place much sooner than 2036. That of course, if the “Magnificent 7” and their lawyers find a way to get out of the ACC’s grant-of-rights.
College football over the last several years of course has seen massive realignment throughout the country. The SEC made the first major move with the additions of Oklahoma and Texas before the Big Ten showed off its muscle by grabbing UCLA and USC out of the Pac-12. Each of the four programs mentioned are expected to join their new conference starting in 2024.
The Big 12 looking to replace the losses of Oklahoma and Texas, made moves of their own, adding BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF to the conference. All four schools will begin play in the conference this upcoming fall.
While the Big 12, Big Ten, and SEC have all made moves over the last several years. The ACC and Pac-12 have remained stagnant with many questioning the viability of each conference going forward. Those questions will only remain and continue to be asked more as the ACC now looks to be threatened by the loss of several of its biggest programs while the Pac-12’s next media contract is still in the works.