Andrew Pace
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has historically been a dominant force in men's basketball, but in recent years, it has experienced a decline in its performance and reputation. Once known for its basketball excellence, the ACC now faces challenges that have led to a decrease in its competitiveness. The decline can be attributed to various factors, including the loss of proven head coaches, financial disparities, the impact of NIL rules, and the rise in popularity of other conferences, such as the Big Ten, due to their larger schools and wider alumni base. The ACC is not alone in facing these challenges, as other conferences have also struggled to keep up with the increasing financial demands of college athletics. Despite the current struggles, there are signs of optimism, with the ACC demonstrating a commitment to investing in its men's basketball programs and adapting to the changing landscape of collegiate sports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of bids for men's NCAA tournament | Fewest in 25 years |
| Reasons for decline | NIL rules, transfer portal, financial commitment, loss of coaches, turnover, identity crisis |
| ACC's top 10 men's basketball players' expected NIL income | $698,000 |
| Number of teams in the ACC | Twice as many as in the past |
| ACC's position in men's basketball in the 1980s and 1990s | Premier men's basketball conference |
| Number of NCAA Tournament bids in 1999 and 2000 | 3 |
| Number of current, non-retiring ACC coaches who've won the conference tournament | 3 |
| ACC's position in the 1990s in terms of wealth | Wealthiest league in the country |
| Reasons for decline in popularity | Smaller schools, lower TV viewership, alumni staying in-state |
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What You'll Learn
ACC's financial commitment to basketball
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is a collegiate athletic conference comprising eighteen member universities that compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I. The ACC sponsors competition in twenty-eight sports, including football, men's basketball, women's basketball, and either women's soccer or women's volleyball.
The ACC has a long history of success in basketball, with its member institutions claiming multiple national championships. However, in recent years, the ACC is on track to have its fewest men's NCAA tournament bids in 25 years. One of the main reasons for this decline is the financial commitment of the ACC relative to other power conferences. According to Opendorse, the ACC is set to spend $4.4 million per school on men's basketball, second only to the Big East conference. This spending allows schools to commit an annual cap of nearly $20 million to their athletes, demonstrating the ACC's serious financial commitment to improving its standing in men's basketball.
The ACC's financial commitment to basketball is also reflected in its sponsorship and support of various programs and initiatives. For example, the ACC provides financial support for the Distinguished Lecturers Program, where five ACC universities select an outstanding faculty member as The ACCAC's Distinguished Lecturer, and the Executive Leadership Series, a skill enhancement program for Deans, Vice Provosts, and Vice Chancellors of ACC universities.
The ACC's financial commitment to basketball is further evident in its member universities' investments in coaching staff. However, the conference has experienced heavy turnover among its men's basketball coaches, with only three of the 15 head coaches from the 2019-20 season remaining. This lack of stability has likely contributed to the challenges faced by the ACC in men's basketball in recent years.
Despite the financial commitment, the ACC has struggled to keep up with other conferences, such as the Big 10, due to the smaller size of its schools and lower TV viewership. The ACC's future success may depend on its ability to adapt to changing landscapes, such as the impact of NIL rules and the transfer portal, and continue investing in its basketball programs to regain its perch in men's basketball.
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Impact of NIL rules and transfer portal
The NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rules and the transfer portal have had a significant impact on ACC basketball and college basketball as a whole. The NIL rules, which came into effect on July 1, 2021, allow college athletes to receive third-party compensation generated by their personal brand, including endorsements. This has opened doors for agents and created a market for student-athletes' labour, with universities using NIL deals to entice athletes to transfer.
The transfer portal, which previously allowed a one-time transfer exception, now permits athletes to transfer between schools and be immediately eligible to play, regardless of the number of transfers. This has led to a more dynamic and fluid landscape in college basketball, with recruiting and transfers operating like professional free agency. The combination of NIL rules and the transfer portal has resulted in the professionalization of college basketball, with money, branding, and transactions driving the sport.
The impact of these changes is wide-reaching. Firstly, it has shifted the focus of coaches from solely recruiting to also include player development, game strategy, and executing responsibilities that directly impact on-court success. Secondly, it has created a need for individuals with business backgrounds who can handle responsibilities such as fundraising, business development, and agent-like tasks such as contract negotiation. Additionally, the lack of a standardized electronic medical record (EMR) system among schools has become a concern, as crucial medical information may not be readily available when an athlete transfers, potentially affecting treatment and diagnosis.
While the NIL rules and transfer portal have brought about challenges, they have also created opportunities for athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness, and for universities to directly compensate athletes. The NCAA's rules regarding transfers have relaxed, and the organization continues to lobby Congress to establish stability and protect the rights of student-athletes.
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Loss of successful head coaches
The decline of ACC basketball has been attributed to several factors, one of which is the loss of successful and proven head coaches. This "coaching exodus" has seen the departure of several stalwarts such as Boeheim, Roy Williams, Mike Krzyzewski, and Tony Bennett. The high turnover rate among coaches has disrupted the stability of the conference, making it difficult to maintain the same level of success and excellence that ACC basketball was known for in the 1980s and 1990s.
The impact of losing successful head coaches is evident in the performance of the teams. For example, NC State's Kevin Keatts, who led the Wolfpack to a spectacular Final Four run in the previous season, was fired after a sub-par campaign. Keatts himself attributed this decline in performance to the challenges posed by NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rules, which have disrupted the continuity of collegiate sports across the country. NIL rules have made it difficult for some schools to retain their best players and attract new talent, impacting their ability to build and maintain successful teams.
The financial commitment of the ACC and its schools is also a factor in the coaching exodus. The ACC intends to spend a significant amount on men's basketball, with a reported $4.4 million per school, second only to the Big East. While this indicates a serious commitment to improving the league's standing, the wealthiest schools and leagues have an advantage in attracting the most sought-after coaches and enhancing their support staff. This creates a cycle where the richest schools can afford the best coaches and players, further widening the gap between the haves and have-nots in collegiate athletics.
The expansion of the ACC from a small, quaint, geographically contained nine-team conference to its current size has also contributed to the challenges. With a larger number of teams, the ACC has struggled to maintain the same level of postseason representation and success it once enjoyed. The increased competition within the conference, coupled with the loss of top coaches, has made it more difficult for ACC teams to stand out and achieve the same level of dominance in men's basketball.
Despite the challenges, there are reasons for optimism. The ACC's top 10 men's basketball players are expected to rank highly in NIL income, which could help attract and retain talent. Additionally, coaches like Jon Scheyer at Duke, who led the team to their 23rd ACC Tournament title, are showing promising signs of success. While the loss of successful head coaches has undoubtedly impacted the ACC, the conference is taking steps to regain its prominence in men's basketball.
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Small schools and low viewership
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is facing a decline in its flagship sport, basketball, with the 2024-25 season on track to have the fewest men's NCAA tournament bids in 25 years. This is partly due to small schools and low viewership, which have impacted the league's financial position and ability to retain top coaches.
ACC schools are substantially smaller than those in other conferences, such as the Big 10, and have lower attendance and viewership numbers. This has become a significant issue as the importance of television ratings and revenue has grown in college sports. The ACC's compact geography, with four teams in the same state, has also limited its ability to attract viewers and expand its fanbase.
The decline in viewership has contributed to financial challenges for the ACC. In the 1990s, the ACC was the wealthiest league in the country on a per-school basis, but the rise in importance of football and television ratings has shifted the landscape in favor of conferences with larger schools in more diverse states. The ACC's smaller schools and alumni base have struggled to compete financially, impacting their ability to attract and retain top coaches and players.
The turnover of head coaches has been significant, with the ACC losing many of its most proven and successful coaches in recent years. This has resulted in a lack of stability and continuity for the basketball programs, making it challenging to build and maintain a successful team. The ACC's top 10 men's basketball players are now third in expected NIL income compared to other power conferences, indicating a shift in the financial dynamics of college basketball.
The ACC is not alone in facing these challenges, as other conferences have also struggled with the increasing financial demands of college athletics. However, the combination of small schools and low viewership has put the ACC at a disadvantage, threatening its once-dominant position in college basketball.
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The rise of football in television ratings
The ACC has been a dominant force in basketball, with five schools winning national titles: Duke, North Carolina, NC State, Maryland, and Virginia. However, the rise of football has impacted the TV ratings and popularity of basketball.
The ACC's brand was built on the success of its men's basketball teams, but the conference is now trending towards one of its worst years, with the fewest men's NCAA tournament bids in 25 years. This decline can be attributed to various factors, including the impact of NIL rules, high turnover rates among coaches, and financial commitments relative to other power conferences.
At the same time, college football has been gaining traction, with its popularity reflected in television ratings. The pressure is on the ACC to perform in football as well as basketball to maintain its brand and revenue. The conference's revenue is now tied to on-field success and television ratings, creating a performance-based distribution model.
Football games have been attracting higher viewership, with some games exceeding one million viewers. The Florida/Florida State game in 2024 drew 1.37 million viewers, highlighting the appeal of college football. The rise of football has impacted the TV landscape, with networks investing in football programming and prime slots.
The shift in focus to television ratings has also influenced the ACC's strategies. The conference has expanded to include Cal, Stanford, and SMU, with expansion surplus funds being used to support existing members and success initiatives. The ACC is projected to receive more than $13 million per school when the new CFP contract begins in 2026, a significant increase from the current $5 million.
While basketball remains an important part of the ACC's brand and revenue stream, the rise of football in television ratings has had a significant impact on the conference's strategies and focus. The ACC is adapting to the changing landscape by emphasizing performance and investing in football and men's basketball to remain competitive and regain its prominence.
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Frequently asked questions
ACC basketball has been impacted by several factors, including the loss of successful head coaches, the rise of other conferences like the Big 10, and the impact of NIL rules and the transfer portal creating a lack of continuity. The ACC has also faced challenges due to its smaller schools and geographic containment, which affect TV viewership and revenue.
NIL rules have destabilized collegiate sports, including ACC basketball, by creating a lack of continuity and impacting coach retention and recruitment. The rules allow schools to commit an annual cap of nearly $20 million to their athletes, which has led to a focus on revenue generation and the pursuit of money by players and collectives.
The Big 10 conference has gained prominence due to its larger schools located near large metropolitan areas, which attract more TV viewers. This has resulted in higher revenue for the conference, allowing them to invest more in coaches and players, while the ACC has struggled with financial commitments.
The ACC is committed to investing in its basketball program and is set to spend more per school on men's basketball. The conference has also reverted to an 18-game model for the 2025-26 season, focusing on competitive matchups and rivalries. Early signs indicate that the ACC's top 10 men's basketball players are expected to earn higher NIL incomes, which could help attract and retain talent.
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