Thanks to the power of major television contracts, football remains the driving force behind conference change in college sports.
As the SEC and Big Ten look to expand their prospects — with each new move fueling rumors of a Tar Heel-ACC split — UNC could benefit financially by moving to a more lucrative conference. a lot. However, the move would not come without problems.
North Carolina has not changed conferences since 1953, when the school left the Southern Conference to join the newly formed ACC. At the time, UNC did not offer varsity sports for women and had only 12 varsity sports in total.
Now, with UNC boasting 28 varsity sports, questions arise about how the school can best support its football program to keep it competitive while still having space. of sponsoring other sports.
According to UNC’s final financial report from 2020-2021, football generated $44.4 million, while the men’s basketball program generated only $13.4 million.
In the fiscal year ending June 2020, the Big Ten and SEC both reported numbers north of $700 million. At the same time, ACC generated about $500 million.
“It’s happening within the NCAA – this is very strong in terms of collecting elite rights,” said USA Hockey Executive Director Simon Hoskins. “Obviously you want to be in the highest-grossing, best-equipped conference.”
One example can be seen in the case of future Big Ten member UCLA. Due to COVID-19, declining football attendance and lack of revenue from other sports, UCLA would have had to cut varsity teams if it hadn’t changed conferences.
If UNC doesn’t make it, its varsity teams could be in the same situation. But despite the good chance of moving to the SEC or Big Ten, the conference change would have a major impact on the Olympics.
“Financially there is a gap and we are doing everything we can to close that gap,” UNC Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham said in an interview with the Carolina Insider podcast produced by UNC. “The process of adding some of those new schools to the new leagues, I think is going to be a challenge for [the Big Ten and the SEC].”
One of the reasons the SEC and Big Ten are attracting UNC is their new television contracts with ESPN. Each SEC school is expected to receive about $68 million, while ESPN will only pay ACC schools $17 million. In the new Big Ten deal, schools could see a return north of $70 million after UCLA and USC end up going to the conference.
Some – but not all – Tar Heel athletes could also see their salaries increase with the move.
According to college sports website On3, which uses football and men’s basketball players in its metrics, the SEC has the most national brand name, image and image value per athlete. to $52,806.54. The Big Ten sits in third place with $32,717.16. The ACC currently ranks last among the Power 5 conferences at $28,448.83 per athlete – nearly seven thousand dollars more than the national average.
Although the Big Ten hosts most of UNC’s Olympic sports, the SEC does not sponsor sports in which UNC has a deep history, such as men’s and women’s lacrosse, field hockey and men’s soccer.
“I think it’s going to be difficult in terms of the conferences that run, which I hope UNC is smart enough not to do,” said former UNC lacrosse coach Taylor Moreno. “I think (moving conferences) will benefit football and basketball, but it will certainly affect many Olympic sports, especially the women’s side.”
Playing in the ACC also provides the opportunity to play in long-term rivalries against other North Carolina schools that may not attract other conferences, such as Duke, N.C. State and Wake Forest.
Former UNC assistant hockey coach Robbert Schenk said UNC leaving the ACC would take away the history of those rivalries.
“Who doesn’t enjoy seeing a UNC-Duke game in any game? It can be devastating,” Schenk said. “I know you’re going to have some cheers here and there, but if you take away the money competition, it’s tough.”
In addition, trips to the games will increase significantly. Although most of the ACC’s teams are located along the East Coast, the expansion conference has programs as far west as Norman, Okla. and Los Angeles.
Former UNC lacrosse defender Caroline Wakefield said travel is already difficult for athletes.
“You have to fly on Thursday to compete on Saturday. You want to get used to the time change and you want to get used to where you are,” he said. “Traveling takes a toll on your body, and when you lose a team, it’s big.”
If North Carolina chooses to leave the ACC, the program could reap the rewards of big TV deals, and some players could benefit from big NIL deals.
Despite this, it will be the athletes who will have to deal with the possible consequences of what comes from changing – good, bad and unknown.
“It seems like it’s better on the outside to move to a bigger conference because you think it’s going to be better for your game,” Wakefield said. “If football brings a lot of money to the SEC, then lacrosse gets a lot of money. However, at the same time, I don’t think we understand what the effects will be on the smaller sports. “
@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com
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