The SEC and Big Ten have been expanding the past few years, with the former adding the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners, and the latter bringing on the USC Trojans, UCLA Bruins, Oregon Ducks, and Washington Huskies.
Sports media consultant Jim Williams pointed out that the two conferences would rather land the North Carolina Tar Heels than the Florida State Seminoles and Clemson Tigers because of market size.
"Many of you all out there are saying FSU and Clemson have better ratings and that is true. But now for the Big Ten and SEC they want the market and neither has a school in Carolina. Why do you think Big Ten added Maryland and Rutgers so they get DC and NYC. Now markets matter," Williams wrote.
Inside Carolina revealed that the SEC is UNC's preferred landing spot.
"Inside Carolina sources reportedly named the SEC as the conference “the Tar Heels are aiming” to land, should it ultimately exit the ACC. The ACC’s exit fees drop from $93 million in 2029-30 to a flat $75 million beginning with the 2030-31 academic year, which “would figure to become an important final line of demarcation, if the Tar Heels haven’t made their departure (from the ACC) sooner,” per Inside Carolina," Inside Carolina's Adam Smith wrote.
SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC may be headed for a Super League
Perhaps North Carolina does end up in the "It Just Means More" conference in the 2030s.
Even still, that partnership might not last long.
As Williams noted, the television networks and streaming services want the Power 4 to become a Super League with no conferences.
"I really think we are headed to a Super League because that is what the TV networks and streaming services want," Williams wrote.
What the networks want, the networks tend to get.
Buckle up for a wild decade-plus in college athletics.