Over the weekend, longtime college basketball reporter Dick Weiss floated an unsubstantiated rumor that suggested that the University of Utah might be considering a switch to the ACC, despite its recent move to the Big 12. The speculation centers on the ACC’s ESPN network agreement and potentially increased TV revenue for Utah.
But Weiss didn’t ignore the doubts some have about the ACC’s stability and overall appeal compared to the Big 12.
Speculation is circulating about potential shifts in college sports conferences. There is discussion about Utah possibly moving to the ACC despite its recent move to the Big 12, with some suggesting the ACC might be a better fit due to its ESPN network agreement and potential for…
— Dick Weiss (@HoopsWeiss) May 26, 2024
But the doubts lie within the rumor that Weiss himself pushed and has since been aggregated on multiple outlets. So much so that Utah felt the need to respond to the rumor, putting it to bed while calling Weiss’ report “completely fabricated and irresponsible”
Here is that statement, via Action Network’s Brett McMurphy:
Statement from Utah athletics regarding rumors of Utah & ACC:
“We are proud to be entering into membership in the Big 12 Conference in the coming months & excited to join our new colleagues and member institutions. A report over the weekend that suggested otherwise is completely…— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) May 28, 2024
That’s not to say that Utah and the ACC haven’t considered each other once before. But that was back in early August of last year, just days prior to the Utes officially joining the Big 12. Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports reported then that Utah was among several programs that the ACC engaged with, including Cal and Stanford, who have since officially joined the conference.
By this point, on the same day the Pac-12 revealed its streaming-only media package to league presidents, the ACC had seriously engaged in expansion discussions with Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, Cal and Stanford.
The move was triggered by Colorado’s departure from the Pac-12, which was made official July 27.
The ACC’s conversations with the five schools were serious. Phillips held discussions with the five presidents. However, while there was some momentum in the endeavor, the ACC found itself behind a rival Power Five conference: the Big 12, which had both geography and time on its side. Commissioner Brett Yormark had been pursuing the Arizona schools and Utah for months and had held intense discussions with Arizona specifically.
According to Dellenger’s reporting, the Arizona schools and Utah opted to join the Big 12 after facing a tight deadline from conference. That effectively shut the door on discussions with the ACC.
And despite the recent rumor, Utah appears firmly committed to its new home in the Big 12. Of course, with the future landscape of college athletics remaining fluid, future conference shifts can’t be entirely ruled out. But Utes officials are saying a move to the ACC isn’t happening any time soon.
