The rumors of the ACC's demise were greatly exaggerated. Stream On's Jim Williams reports that the conference not only may retain FSU and Clemson but will also not lose any other members to a fellow Power Conference; in the wake of the Noles and Tigers working with the conference to shorten the Grant of Rights agreement and come to an understanding not to leave.
"It is my understanding that the goal here is to keep FSU and Clemson (as well as any other school) would remain in the ACC - So I think that no other schools would be leaving," Williams wrote on X.
Williams had previously said that talks between FSU and Clemson, and the ACC, "seem positive" at the moment.
"It is early but thus far conversations between the ACC, FSU, and Clemson seem to be positive as they work together on a proposal to keep both teams in the conference," Williams prefaced before saying, "A shorter (Grant of Rights agreement) and merit based Rev sharing are two of the key issues being discussed. Changing the term of the Grant of Rights is critical. For the conference to sign off on NEW members, adding schools while negotiating a new TV contract is ideal to get more cash for all members."
No ACC exodus not a good sign for the Big 12
The Big 12 was supposed to be the biggest beneficiary of the ACC's supposed collapse. Not only were FSU and Clemson tabbed as Big 12 options at one point, but so were Miami, Louisville, NC State, Georgia Tech, and Pitt, among others.
With the ACC looking like they'll retain every single member, the Big 12 will have to look elsewhere. And since the Pac-12 is rebuilding itself, the Big 12 may even have to fend off the rising west coast-based conference for its members.