Is the ACC Moving Closer To Its Own Television Network?

Mark BlankenbakerMay 9, 2016

The ACC Digital Network’s Jeff Fischel spoke with ACC Commissioner John Swofford on Monday in Amelia Island, FL for the 1st of 4 days of meetings.

During the discussion the possibility of an ACC Channel (or Network) came up and Commission Swofford said the following: “It’s an ongoing discussion and something we’re very focused on in terms of creating the best path forward in terms of television for the longer term. I think one thing we’ve learned from other people is how and when you go about that is important. We want to put ourselves in the best position.”

Swofford added: “The great thing about this league right now with our 15 members and footprint…..we think we’re in very good position for the long term. We just have to make the right decisions and time it correctly.”

Fox Sports’ Tim Brando hinted last week that he felt that the league was moving closer to having its own network, but Swofford did close his thoughts on the topic with: “I don’t know that there will be public clarity but we will move further down the trail of where we’re heading, there’s no question about that. We’re not going to have a whole lot to say until we reach a point of saying something definitive. It takes patience, but we’ll get to a good place. I’m confident.”

The timeline looks reasonable that this July’s ACC Football Media Kickoff would be a timeline that could make sense for an announcement of the ACC Digital Network (speculation). Commissioner Swofford typically has his largest media audience of the year at the Kickoff and if the timeline according to Brando is accurate then this July might make a lot of sense. We’ll definitely keep an eye on it.