The Athletic ranks ACC Football programs from most valuable to least ahead of 2025 season
1. Florida State: $867 million (18 overall)
Their football program rakes in an average yearly revenue of $86.1 million. Florida State is aided by the conference’s new uneven television distribution model, which pays schools out by television ratings.
The Seminoles also recently settled a lawsuit with the ACC, alongside Clemson, that helps paint a clearer picture for a potential exit from the conference down the line. The Athletic expects Florida State’s revenue to jump by eight figures in the fallout.
2. Clemson: $665 million (22 overall)
Just like Florida State, Clemson will greatly benefit from the new distribution rules in the ACC. Given they’re the only ACC program to have won a national title in the last decade, which they did twice, the Tigers will always be in the mix in any list regarding the conference.
However, they could be looking to get out of the ACC just the same as Florida State. Clemson’s average football revenue sits at $78.2 million — which is less than what their exit fee from the conference will be by 2030.
3. Miami: $604 million (24 overall)
Miami’s future in the ACC has also been thrown into question alongside Clemson and Florida State. The Hurricanes are a nationally-recognized program with a rich history. However, they haven’t made a College Football Playoff or finished as a top 10 team in over two decades.
For this, Baker sees Miami on par with SEC programs like Ole Miss and Arkansas. Those programs ranked 23th and 25th on the list.
4. North Carolina: $572 million (26 overall)
North Carolina football garnered a lot of attention this offseason when it hired Bill Belichick as its next head coach. The six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach will bring more than a few eyes (in turn, TV dollars) to the Tar Heels program by his presence alone.
The state has the third-highest rising population rate aside from Texas and Florida. As the fanbase grows, so will the Tar Heels’ football program.
5. Virginia Tech: $455 million (31 overall)
Virginia Tech was the first team in the third tier of this list. Their valuation sits slightly higher than the WNBA’s New York Liberty at $450 million.
While they have a passionate fanbase and strong history in the conference, recent success hasn’t been there. Their last 10-win season came in 2016 and have failed to reach the mark since.
6. NC State: $445 million (32 overall)
Location and demographics were the driving force behind putting the Wolfpack in this spot. NC State has a massive, as well as passionate fanbase.
Like the Tar Heels, they benefit from the state’s population growth as well as being located in the second largest city in North Carolina. Still, the Wolfpack haven’t had a 10-win season since 2002.
7. Louisville: $350 million (42 overall)
Louisville appears to be the next big thing in the ACC under third-year head coach Jeff Brohm. For now, they’re in the middle of the pack revenue-wise.
Brohm has won at least nine games during each of the last two seasons, including 10 wins in 2023. More of the same is expected to continue this fall, and there’s a good chance they’ll be ranked higher on this list next season.
8. Georgia Tech: $340 million (T-43 overall)
Georgia Tech has finished 7-6 overall in the each of the last two seasons under head coach Brent Key. This is an improvement from the previous staff that was leading the charge. However, the Yellow Jackets were ranked as high as No. 23 in the AP Poll last season.
This could be a sign of good things to come for Georgia Tech. They’re also aided by their location — Atlanta.
9. Syracuse: $329 million (46 overall)
Syracuse finished with its second 10-win season since 2001 under first-year head coach Fran Brown in 2024. They’ll look to replicate immediate success the Orange enjoyed under his leadership last fall.
However, Syracuse has seven winning seasons this century. They’ve have two winning seasons in the last three years, though, which could be a sign that Syracuse is here to stay.
10. Duke: $323 million (48 overall)
Duke isn’t known for what it’s accomplished on the football field. Given they have one top 25 finish in the last six decades, the Blue Devils have to earn their seat at the table.
Despite this, their spot in the ACC allows them to be a top 50 most valuable programs in the country. It was compared ot the 2019 expansion fee for Charlotte FC to join the MLS ($325 million).
11. Pittsburgh: $303 million (51 overall)
12. Virginia: $257 million (56 overall)
13. Stanford: $202 million (60 overall)
14. SMU: $178 million (63 overall)
15. Boston College: $172 million (64 overall)
16. California: $158 million (65 overall)
17. Wake Forest: $124 million (66 overall)
Top 30 by conference:
SEC: 12
B1G: 11
ACC: 4
B12: 2
IND: 1
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