ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips: Resolved Lawsuits and Revenue Boost Open Doors to a Brighter Future
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The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has finally found itself in a position to focus on its future after resolving a long-standing legal battle with two member schools. ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips expressed his excitement and relief in an interview, stating that the period of uncertainty has allowed the league to refocus on its priorities. Phillips, who has been at the helm since February 2021, has been working tirelessly to address the challenges facing the league. The ACC has been able to post record revenue figures, with $711.4 million in revenue for the 2023-24 sports year. However, the league still lags behind the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference in terms of revenue, ranking third among the Power Four. To combat this, the ACC has made significant changes to its revenue distribution model, introducing a new formula that takes into account TV viewership. This move is expected to benefit the league's biggest brands, such as Clemson, Florida State, and Miami in football, and Duke, Louisville, and North Carolina in men's basketball. The ACC has also taken steps to revamp its men's basketball program, reducing its league schedule from 20 to 18 games to allow teams to add quality non-conference matchups. The move seems to be paying off, with league teams combining to go 58-10 in the first two weeks of the season. Commissioner Phillips is optimistic about the future of the ACC, citing the league's progress in areas such as revenue growth and men's basketball. He believes that the league's innovative approach to revenue distribution and replay reviews will set a precedent for other conferences. As the ACC looks to the future, it will be interesting to see how these changes impact the league's performance in the coming years. With a renewed focus on revenue growth and program development, the ACC is poised to make a strong statement in the world of college athletics.
