Pitt Welcomes Cal, SMU and Stanford to ACC

The seemingly never-ending ‘will they, won’t they’ in regard to ACC expansion reached a boiling point Friday morning as the conference received enough votes to officially extend invitations to Cal, Stanford and SMU.

The ACC needed 12 ‘yes’ votes to expand, and with North Carolina State flipping in favor of expansion, it received the 12 votes it needed.

Pitt was one of the 12 schools in favor of expansions, and chancellor Joan Gabel and athletic director Heather Lyke officially welcomed the three newcomers Friday morning.

“The University of Pittsburgh enthusiastically welcomes Southern Methodist University, Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley, to the Atlantic Coast Conference. During this time of change in intercollegiate athletics, the addition of these three institutions with legacies of academic and athletic excellence solidifies and enhances the future of the ACC.

“The interests and well-being of our student athlete have been, and always will be, our top priority when making these decisions. The expansion provides exciting new opportunities to compete and achieve at the highest levels, both in the class and in our athletic arenas. We look forward to future collaborations and competitions with our new ACC colleagues.”

Welcome Cal, SMU & Stanford to the ACC! pic.twitter.com/ErKaFnD2PB

— University of Pittsburgh (@PittTweet) September 1, 2023

Cal, Stanford and SMU will begin ACC play in the 2024 season, in all sports, and all three have agreed to unequal revenue sharing. According to The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel, Cal and Stanford will receive 30% in the first seven years, 70% in the eighth year, 75% in the ninth year and 100% in the last three years.

SMU will receive no revenue shares over the first nine years, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported.

That revenue will be circulated back into the ACC, with all 14 previous full-time members and Notre Dame receiving a reported $50-60 million — and additional revenue able to be earned through winning.

Pat Narduzzi also extended his welcome to the new ACC programs.

Welcome to @theACC‼️

🤝 Cal, SMU, Stanford #H2P #WeNotMe pic.twitter.com/8k3GHtLYt4

— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) September 1, 2023