Record-Breaking Revenue for ACC, But Legal Action and Gap with Big Ten and SEC Loom over Conference’s Football Powerhouses

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) reported record-breaking gross revenue of $706.6 million in the 2022-23 season, with an average distribution of $44.8 million to its 14 football-playing members. This represents a 14.5% increase from the previous year and is the second-largest year-over-year increase in league history. Despite this growth, the ACC still falls behind the Big Ten and SEC in terms of revenue, which is expected to widen further with new television deals for both conferences.

In response to the revenue gap, Florida State and Clemson have taken legal action against the ACC as they plan for their long-term futures. Commissioner Jim Phillips earned $2.76 million for the 2022-23 fiscal year, while former commissioner John Swofford was the second-highest paid at $2.59 million. Since retiring in 2021, Swofford has earned nearly $6 million from the ACC.

The ACC saw a 9% increase in television media revenue in its third year of full distribution for the ACC Network, with an average distribution per school 13.7% higher than the previous year. Notre Dame, a member in all sports but football, received $22.1 million from the ACC despite trailing the Big Ten and SEC in revenue. Despite this gap, Notre Dame had a successful year in 2022-23, winning nine national titles and sending teams to the Final Four in both men’s and women’s basketball.