Conference realignment: strategic planning for conference offices to navigate changes

Conference realignment is shifting collegiate athletics. With many important decisions remaining, this paper reviews how different institutions have considered the financial and competitive implications of changing or remaining in a conference and how conferences can approach realignment to develop a strategy to ensure their conference can remain competitive and a destination for institutions and athletes. These questions are examined through the changes in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and impacted institutions. With significant change already occurring and discontentment among ACC schools such as Florida State, Clemson, and the University of North Carolina, the ACC may need to identify its niche within Power Conferences to stabilize its membership at a time when the Big 12 looks to continue growing and the SEC and Big Ten can offer higher television payouts to premier programs. Several significant considerations play into the decisions of conferences to expand and for institutions seeking to provide the best opportunities for their student-athletes, institutions, staff, and fans. Finances including television revenue are a driving factor in these decisions. Financial stability is a major draw for many institutions that do not have the brand or finances to consider independence from a conference. Administratively, athletic departments must consider access to major sport events such as the College Football Playoff and NCAA championship tournaments as these are draws for student athletes and provide prestige and recognition to the institution. During this round of conference realignment, there is also consideration to legal challenges and agreements around television and conference membership. The ACC’s Grant of Rights has been a major topic for several institutions that seek flexibility to consider moving to another conference, but restrictions in the agreement may present challenges. Overall, these areas yield notable takeaways about how institutions and conferences position themselves for sustained success in this era of conference realignment.