FSU Golf Top 5 in NCAA Championship Play

 

Ken MacLean, running back on Florida State's first football team in 1947, dies at 94

 

Ken MacLean, running back on Florida State's first football team in 1947, dies at 94

MacLean, a running back on Florida State’s first football team in 1947 who returned in the early 1960s as an assistant under Bill Peterson, died Thursday at Capital Regional Medical Center from pneumonia, according to his family. 

MacLean was 94.

After a stint in the military, he returned to Tallahassee and was a prominent student voice behind FSU’s effort to field a varsity football team. MacLean was on the Seminoles’ first team in 1947 and led the team in rushing and receiving. He also had the team’s first reception from quarterback Don Grant.

MacLean was a three-year letterman in 1947, 1948 and 1949 under coaches Ed Williamson and Don Veller.

“Everyone on campus was excited; we had school spirit and football, all of a sudden, became the heartbeat of Florida State University, a rallying point unlike anything before,” MacLean told the Democrat in a 2017 interview. 

Blueprint likely to pull away from FSU convention center as Doak renovations request surfaces

 

Blueprint likely to pull away from FSU convention center as Doak renovations request surfaces

Put a pin in the proposed convention center. For now. 

That's the recommendation of Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency staff as they continue to analyze, along with Florida State University, budgetary limitations, construction cost increases and a struggling post-pandemic economy. 

The proposal, which has been an idea since 2012 when FSU acquired the Tucker Center from Leon County, is set to come before the IA Thursday at the same it considers a $20 million request to partially fund improvements and prime the underlying structure of Doak Campbell Stadium for renovations that will improve the fan experience.

While more people become vaccinated against the coronavirus, people still aren’t looking to travel for conventions, instead seeking outdoor activities and less crowded spaces, according to a survey. The project has also led to pushback from critics on whether such an investment of taxpayer money is appropriate.

At the same time, FSU has signaled it is working toward building a Tucker Center area hotel on its own where such a convention center could be incorporated.

“Staff is recommending that the IA discontinue negotiations to pursue a convention center at this time,” according to agenda materials.

“As 18 years remain in the Blueprint 2020 time window, there is ample time to analyze, assess, and identify new convention center project opportunities to timely act upon in the future of the current sales tax.”

In a Your Turn column published in the Tallahassee Democrat Sunday, FSU President John Thrasher said a convention center may actually be an economic risk, an about-face from last year when funding was increased just ahead of the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Repairs to Doak Campbell Stadium may be more beneficial, he said.  

“In a post-COVID world, the time is not right to expand in-person meeting space for conventions and large gatherings. In fact, moving ahead with this project may create an economic risk for our local community,” Thrasher wrote. “When donor and tax dollars are on the line, we need to choose the wisest, most conservative course. To that end, we are requesting funding for an investment that has the highest degree of likelihood for giving our investors — in this case, taxpayers — the very best return on their dollars.”

The discussion surrounding the convention center has ramped up since last spring when Blueprint officials committed $40 million to building the facilitym which would have been operated by FSU. Since then, $10 million was pulled from the budget for renovations to Florida A&M University’s football stadium and another proposal to upgrade Tallahassee Community College’s athletics facilities is on the table Thursday.

TCC is seeking $1 million after pitching a proposal in February that its athletics facilities were in dire need of being upgraded. Staff is offering to pull money from the federal American Rescue Plan funding for the TCC proposal.

Both the city and county have agreed to provide almost $9 million in federal funding to Blueprint, the bulk of which, $7.5 million, slated to go toward infrastructure and another $1.3 million to the Office of Economic Vitality, where the TCC funding is recommended to be pulled from.

Rivals Rankings Turn 20: How Power Five programs have ranked in recruiting

 

Rivals Rankings Turn 20: How Power Five programs have ranked in recruiting

6. FLORIDA STATE (9.4)

It’s hard to believe that Florida State has never had the No. 1 recruiting class in 20 years of Rivals Rankings history but the Seminoles have been close numerous times. They finished second, third or fourth multiple times over the years and that’s why the Seminoles' average-class finish is still so high despite some lean years and struggles on the recruiting trail recently.

Second-year coach Mike Norvell is trying to turn things around but FSU has finished outside the top-15 for three-straight classes, the first time that has happened to the ‘Noles in Rivals history.

More Fan Heat Maps - 5/13/16

 Great find by https://accfootballrx.blogspot.com/

More Fan Heat Maps - 5/13/16

Florida State Seminoles

Besides Tallahassee itself, the 'Noles have a big following in Central Florida (Tampa, Orlando, etc.). They also have followers throughout Georgia, the Eastern half of Alabama, and throughout Virginia and Maryland.

John Thrasher should be Florida State's last politician president.

 

John Thrasher should be Florida State's last politician president.

For a decade, Florida State University has courted the U.S. News rankings with singular focus and remarkable success. Our university has joined the big leagues, and it intends to keep moving up. That’s the job our trustees have set for FSU’s next president. What will it take?

Every single candidate for the job has the same answer: money — or, as one first round candidate put it, "money, money, money, money, money."

But where is that money to be found?

For John Thrasher and his predecessors, the answer was straightforward: the Florida Legislature. And President Thrasher successfully procured the state funding we needed to make it to our present position.

Because of our new standing, though, the answer has changed. Now that FSU is a Top 20 university, the path forward goes beyond the Capitol.

In 2018-19, FSU’s $499 million in state appropriations made up 35% of its budget. The University of Florida got a lot more money from the state — $785 million — but that was only 23% of its revenue. FSU is an outlier in this regard. On average, the top 30 schools got just 15% of their revenue from state allocations. You can see a data visualization at http://bit.ly/fsu-revenue.

To be clear, this does not mean that FSU gets too much money from the state. It means FSU’s revenue growth must come from other sources — especially federal research funding.

Few of us follow such budget details closely. This presidential search has been eye opening for everyone. As one trustee put it, “I should have paid more attention, and I should have known, that we were lacking severely... and for that I apologize.”

We’ve learned FSU needs to increase its research budget by about $250 million. That kind of money will not come from the state Legislature, where a $10-million increase is a big win. The Legislature has to balance the interests of many worthy and deserving institutions. It will not bankrupt everyone else to boost FSU.

What does all this mean for FSU's presidential search?

The selection committee has done a great job. We have three excellent finalists, each a distinguished scientist with deep experience finding and managing hundreds of millions— even billions — in research funding. Each is an expert in exactly the work this job now requires.

The days of relying on Tallahassee connections as the most important moneymaker have come to an end. Our success is a tribute to the hard work of past presidents — and the taxpayers who support us. But the next step requires different tools and a different kind of leader.

FSU will always need great relationships at the Capitol, and we are thankful for the ongoing state support that will remain foundational to our university. But our next president will be the first with priorities beyond state appropriations.

John Thrasher was FSU's last politician president. It’s a mark of his success that he will be followed by an academic who can harness our tremendous research potential.

argument 1

Barron wasn't a politician. 2 of our last 3 were. The first was TK and he did horrible on almost all levels including state funding and appropriations. In fact, he hurt FSU here, let alone improved FSU here. Thrasher has been negligible in this area.

None of the politicos helped FSU in the biggest areas with state appropriations and that is COE and COM. Schools that have their own Full Mission Med School and own COE include: FAU, FIU, UCF, UF, USF.

None of FSU's politicos helped keep FSU with the pack there, let alone gave FSU an advantage.

FSU has neither their own COE or full mission COM. This is very bad for FSU's future in research. FSU commissioned a study in early 2000s that detailed this issue for FSU. Around $230 million a year in annual research $ compared to say UF at almost $800 million. You simply can't keep up long term when these other schools have these state appropriations and FSU doesn't.

Thrasher has had some positive growth in research and jumping from $200 million in research to $233 today. Sandy saw research dollars more than double during his tenure winding up at $147 million in 2002. Both have done well, statistically, Sandy's #s easily outpaced any other president FSU has had (and he didn't have a COM during most of his tenure).

In 1994 when Sandy started, FSU's endowment was ranked #256 by NACUBO. When he left in 2002 FSU reached #128. When Thrasher took over in 2015, FSU had fallen to #157. FSU has since fallen 3 more spots in most recent rankings to #160. No FSU president has even come close to the positive impact endowment wise that Sandy has.

When TK took over, FSU had a US News rank of 108 and finished at 102. Barron at 102 to 91. Thrasher at 95 to 58. Almost all the jump was during Thrasher's tenure. Think bright futures is #1 reason why, but Thrasher deserves massive credit taking advantage and working the numbers. He did great here.

I accept that FSU will hire a politico....I get it. I even admit Thrasher did a good job in some areas. He did amazing with finally figuring out US News rankings which no other president could do. I don't get a few things that make me wonder:

*Why FSU always hires politicos and UF never does. This is just curious to me. UF gets ALL the advantages with the state (unlike FSU) and FSU rarely does
*Why do the politicos get credit for giving FSU some advantage that hasn't actually happened? Not only is FSU hamstrung with no COE of it's own and limited mission med schools, but even directional schools in this state have gotten BOTH (let alone one) while FSU's politicos didn't deliver. IF we are going to sell out, I just wish FSU would at least be able to keep up in the state appropriation of the most critical areas for research.
*Why FSU is so averse to just going with hiring the best available candidate. The inside hires, etc have hurt FSU IMHO. Univ. of Tallahassee has not been good for FSU long term. JMHO.
*Show me any state funding comparison with actual trended #s that proves FSU has been funded less with non politicos over the last 40 years vs politicos. Just doesn't exist. But this is repeated over and over. TK even hurt FSU in this area.


I do agree with you.....I have no doubt the hire was decided long ago and this is just a show, so a non issue. But I can't help correct some points that are regularly stated that just aren't true...so often presumed.

argument2

Here are FSU research numbers compared to other universities in our state during Thrasher's tenure:

Total increase in research dollars (2015-2019. Thrasher's tenure):

FSU	$32,771,550
UF	$69,400,000
UCF	$58,700,000
USF	$84,000,000
FIU	$38,949,379

FSU is last in this area.

Research Awards	Compound Growth Rate 2002-2019	Total $ Increase 2002-2019
FSU	2.73%	$85,700,000
UF	3.43%	$339,000,000
UCF	5.66%	$116,700,000
USF	5.60%	$317,102,310
FIU	5.43%	$93,100,000

FSU's growing rate as well as Total $ is also dead last.


Make of those figures what you would like, but other than cheerleading, the metrics aren't what many like to claim.

argument 3

The only way to judge endowment trends is by NACUBO rankings.

When Thrasher took over as president, FSU was ranked #157. Last ranking was #158.

The last president to do well in this area was Sandy. The rest did very poorly.

argument 4

Booster annual

42,000 alumni living in Tallahassee. We have only 1,400 boosters in that group

State appropriations as share of total revenues, 2018-19

 Interesting factoid out of presidential job search

State appropriations as share of total revenues, 2018-19

Harvard vice provost Richard McCullough to be next FSU president

 

Harvard vice provost Richard McCullough to be next FSU president

Florida State University’s Board of Trustees on Monday selected Richard McCullough, vice provost for research at Harvard, as its top choice to replace President John Thrasher, who has served as president since November 2014.

Trustees praised all three applicants as men who could have taken the helm of FSU, but they said McCullough had a "Florida State swag" that pushed him over the top.

McCullough now will move forward on June 23 for an interview with the Board of Governors, who have ultimate responsibility in confirming presidents of Florida’s public universities.

The selection of McCullough ends a presidential search process that began last fall, after Thrasher, 77, and FSU’s 15th president, announced his intention to retire once his successor is on board.

McCullough has served as vice provost for research at Harvard since 2012, where also is a professor of materials science and engineering.

He was postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University after earning his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry and master’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University. 

He was vice president for research at Carnegie Mellon University, 2007-2012.

Richard McCullough selected next president of Florida State University

The Florida State University Board of Trustees has unanimously selected Richard McCullough, vice provost for research at Harvard University, to serve as the university’s 16th president.

McCullough will succeed John Thrasher, who will retire later this summer after serving as president since 2014.

The appointment is subject to approval by the Florida Board of Governors, which meets June 23.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to lead Florida State University as its next president,” McCullough said. “Public universities are amazing engines of social change and mobility, and FSU is leading the way in that effort. The foundation is set for FSU to take its next jump up, and I’m excited to be a part of the team that will take it to the next level.”

McCullough was one of three finalists forwarded to the trustees from the 15-member Presidential Search Advisory Committee. The committee interviewed nine candidates out of 35 applicants before inviting three finalists back to campus for open forums with students, faculty, staff and community members.

“This is a pivotal time in the history of Florida State University, and I’m confident that Rick McCullough is the person to lead it into the future,” said Ed Burr, chair of the FSU Board of Trustees. “The board believes Dr. McCullough will be an exceptional fit with FSU’s culture of excellence and student success. He is an experienced academic, tested administrator and innovator who possesses a vision that will be vital in continuing our tremendous climb in the national rankings as a preeminent university.”

McCullough will take the helm of a university enjoying an incredible run of success. FSU recently cracked the U.S. News & World Report Top 20 rankings, created the first stand-alone college of entrepreneurship in the nation, set a State University System of Florida record with a 74 percent four-year graduation rate, brought in record research funding and increased enrollment of underrepresented or ethnic minority students.

At Harvard, McCullough oversaw the development, review and implementation of strategies, planning and executing academic research across the university since 2012. In addition, he leads an office of Foundation and Corporate Engagement and assists in the oversight of more than 25 interdisciplinary institutes, centers and initiatives across the university.

During his tenure, McCullough successfully built and launched the new Harvard Data Science Initiative, a collaboration between 12 of the university’s schools and more than 120 faculty, which has led to three new master’s programs and the creation of many new undergraduate courses.

McCullough developed and launched a new Structural Biology Program and cryo-electron microscope facility that partners Harvard Medical School with three Boston-area hospitals. He also led the development for a new $100 million, multi-institution collaboration to build the Advanced Biological Innovation and Manufacturing Center and Facility, which will be a hub for workforce training, economic development, education and medical research for the region.

Previously, McCullough spent 22 years at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, where he began his academic career as an assistant professor of chemistry in 1990 and became the Thomas Lord Professor of Chemistry in 2009. McCullough was promoted to Head of Chemistry in 1998 and then served as dean of the Mellon College of Science from 2001-2007 before becoming the university’s Vice President for Research.

McCullough, a founder of two companies who holds multiple patents, has a rich background in entrepreneurship and innovation. At Carnegie Mellon he developed a vibrant innovation ecosystem, including the Greenlighting Start-ups Initiative that exponentially increased the generation of university spin-out companies and corporate engagement. In 2013, he was elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.

A staunch champion of diversity, McCullough created a diverse pipeline of Black/African American academics from both his research lab and as the founding creator of the Future Faculty Workshop: Diverse Leaders of Tomorrow, an annual workshop that helps diverse postdoctoral fellows and students obtain academic jobs. Now in its 15th year, the workshop has facilitated placing more than 50 underrepresented minority professors in the United States.

McCullough, also a professor of materials science and engineering at Harvard, is the author of numerous peer-reviewed articles and serves on the editorial boards of several academic journals. He has been an innovation, entrepreneurship and technology transfer adviser to Oxford University, Princeton University and Washington University at St. Louis.

A first-generation student from Mesquite, Texas, McCullough attended Eastfield Community College before earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1982 and a doctoral degree in organic chemistry from Johns Hopkins University in 1988. McCullough also spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University in New York.

He and his wife, Jai Vartikar, have two children, Jason and Dylan.

FSU asking Blueprint to 'invest' $20 million in tax money for football stadium project

 

John Thrasher: Blueprint's economic development funds can, should help improve FSU's Doak

With perhaps the exception of the Florida Capitol, Doak Campbell Stadium is one of the best known landmarks in Tallahassee.

This awe-inspiring and immense brick structure currently seats nearly 80,000 fans, while the University Center that surrounds it is home to several academic departments including the FSU College of Motion Picture Arts, the FSU College of Communication and Information, and the Dedman College of Hospitality. It houses offices, classrooms, meeting space and the FSU Visitor Center.

Keeping this structure up to date, safe and inviting to visitors from around the world is vitally important for Florida State University and Tallahassee.

When it was built more than 70 years ago, Doak Campbell Stadium was derided by our rivals as an “erector set.” Over the years, investments by the Seminole Boosters and private donors, as well as the state and local government, have turned the stadium into one of the largest continuous brick structures in the United States.

This amazing facility – an incredible economic engine that brings $100 million to the local economy – simply would not exist without the continuous support of our local community.

But the truth is, many of the features of the original structure remain today, hidden from view by the amazing brickwork that surrounds it. That infrastructure is now badly in need of attention.

Because of the facility’s impact on the local economy, FSU has approached local government leaders about contributing to the renovations of this Tallahassee landmark.

Our request is for structural and safety enhancements only, including improvements to Doak’s foundation, electricity, lighting, drainage and concourses as well as upgraded railings and fixing protruding beams.

While most of the funding for improvements to Doak will come from non-local government sources, it is essential that we complete the new vision with help from Blueprint. This request is not about shifting dollars from another project. When more than 60% of Leon County voters approved Blueprint, a percentage of those funds were set aside for general economic development efforts, while other dollars were earmarked for specific capital projects. The money we are requesting comes only — and appropriately — from economic development funds.

Therefore, we are asking for assistance with the badly needed renovations to Doak to ensure the structure is sound, safe, stable and will last for many years to come.

An investment in Doak Campbell Stadium — home to the Florida State Seminoles football team — is compelling.

Typically, an investor wants to get his or her money back in five years or less. In this case, there is $51 million in direct spending by visitors during a seven-game home football schedule and a total economic impact of $100 million. That means the $20 million of requested Blueprint economic development funding would result in a return on investment in less than a year.

Renovating Doak helps keep the FSU football program healthy by making sure its house is in top shape. And it helps keep the local economy healthy by investing dollars where they will have the most impact.

John Thrasher is President of Florida State University in Tallahassee.

FSU asking Blueprint to 'invest' $20 million in tax money for football stadium project

Florida State University is asking the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency to invest $20 million into structural and safety upgrades as part of an overall project to renovate 71-year-old Doak Campbell Stadium.

The university, in documents submitted Monday to Blueprint, said with the investment of tax money to maintain the underlying structure, it could focus on incrementally pumping another $100 million into other renovations to improve fan experiences such as diversifying seating options.

A feasibility study submitted by FSU identified some of the issues taxpayer money could fund, including replacing lighting, railing improvements, painting and rust prevention to the interior structures and guardrails, additional steps within the seating bowl, addressing field drainage and creating a central food commissary.

In all, a home football game attracted 220,000 out-of-town visitors to Tallahassee, resulting in millions of dollars being pumped into the community, wrote FSU Vice President and Director of Athletics David Coburn in a letter to Department of PLACE (Planning, Land Management & Community Enhancement) Director Ben Pingree.

“FSU has a total annual economic impact of $10 billion,” he wrote. “$1 billion is directly related to people who visit our community for reasons related to FSU. Continuing to invest in the stadium is a key driver to the vibrancy of Tallahassee and Leon County.”

Doak Campbell not the first request for stadium funding

A precedent for using collected taxes to support athletics facilities in town emerged last year when Blueprint, made up of all 12 city and county commissioners, committed $10 million to renovations at Florida A&M University’s Bragg Stadium to ensure its football team could play in the ailing stadium this season. In addition to bolstering and maintaining revenues connected to the Rattlers’ home games, the project is expected to support construction related jobs.

The feasibility study provided to Blueprint, which meets May 27, details the tourism power associated with a home game. The funding, both from Blueprint and collected through fundraising, would be used to enhance food and beverage experiences, improve restrooms, provide more shade and more climate-controlled areas, build more comfortable seating, improve WiFi and cellular coverage and offer pre- and post-game activities to increase the value of the overall experience.

The remaining $100 million, which the FSU Board of Trustee authorized the FSU Boosters to begin fundraising in March, will go toward renovations to the South end zone, west side renovations and to create “cool zones” with concourses.  

It’s not yet clear where the funding will come from for FSU’s request. Blueprint’s agenda is released on Saturday.  

Bragg renovations were funded by pulling $10 million from a proposal to build a convention center in FSU’s long-term goal of an Arena District stretching from campus up Madison Street to the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center and a hotel the university is pursuing.

The convention center is being funded out of economic development dollars because of the potential impact it could have in attracting events and associated commerce to Tallahassee, the only state capital in the south without a convention center.

Months after the decision to pay for Bragg renovations, Blueprint again signaled it would be willing to pump money into athletics facilities at Tallahassee Community College as it entertained for the first time a presentation and $1 million request by TCC President Jim Murdaugh.

Convention center plans long in the making

The idea for a convention center was brewing even before 2012 when FSU acquired the Tucker Center from Leon County. After years of community discussion, the university told the IA it could take on a $20 million project for a smaller center but would like to see something more substantial.

In March 2020, Blueprint officials increased the allocation to $40 million, spurring  backlash from some members of the public and some commissioners, who would like to see investment in other parts of the city instead

ACC's latest tax filing underscores challenges for new commissioner Jim Phillips

ACC's latest tax filing underscores challenges for new commissioner Jim Phillips

The ACC’s per-school share continues to rank last among the Power Five and lag far behind the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference. As USA Today’s Steve Berkowitz reported Thursday, the Big Ten distributed, on average, $54.3 million to its 12 longest-standing members, the SEC $45.5 million to its 14 schools. Big 12 shares ranged from $37 million to $40.5 million, and the Pacific 12’s average was $33.8 million.

Virginia Tech president Tim Sands echoed Phillips last month when he said the conference’s finances were a focus of the presidents and chancellors’ interviews with commissioner candidates.

“It’s not just the money,” Sands said, “but you can’t [compete] without that kind of support. … That’s a major expectation of the presidents and chancellors. I think we got the right guy.”

Per the various tax filings, Swofford’s $4 million in total compensation was fourth among Power Five commissioners, ahead of the SEC’s Greg Sankey ($2.9 million).

The ACC’s 2019-20 distributions ranged from Clemson’s $37.0 million to Georgia Tech’s $30.9 million. Virginia’s $33.6 million was second to Clemson’s and rooted in the Cavaliers’ Orange Bowl appearance, while Virginia Tech’s $32.2 million was just a tick below the average.

Notre Dame, an ACC member for sports other than football, received $10.8 million, a 58.8% increase over its 2018-19 share. Why a percentage jump more than four times above full members?

ACC revenue last 10 years

* Average share for full-time members

** As a partial member, Notre Dame does not receive a full share

Years	Total	TV	Bowl	NCAA	Avg. share*	Notre Dame**
2010-2011	$167.2M	$79.3M	$36.7M	$18.2M	$12.3M	N/A
2011-2012	$223.6M	$130.5M	$43.8M	$17.7M	$16.9M	N/A
2012-2013	$232.4M	$146.6M	$36.7M	$18.2M	$17.6M	N/A
2013-2014	$302.3M	$197.2M	$48.8M	$17.5M	$19.3M	$4.9M
2014-2015	$403.1M	$217.9M	$94.2M	$18.4M	$26.2M	$6.2M
2015-2016	$337.4M	$226.1M	$85.8M	$20.6M	$23.8M	$4.3M
2016-2017	$418.1M	$236.0M	$113.2M	$24.2M	$26.6M	$5.8M
2017-2018	$464.7M	$277.2M	$114.9M	$56.6M	$29.5M	$7.9M
2018-2019	$455.4M	$288.6M	$88.4M	$59.8M	$28.8M	$6.8M
2019-2020	$496.7M	$332.8m	$125.0M	$22.5M	$32.4M	$10.8M

ACC revenue last 10 years

Revenue gap starts to close in ACC Network’s first year?

Article from the N&O

Revenue gap starts to close in ACC Network’s first year. Here’s what the numbers show.
BY LUKE DECOCK
MAY 21, 2021 05:55 PM
Play VideoDuration 0:52
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips on his new ties

Listen to new ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips talk about the gifts his family gave him on Christmas to help make sure he didn't have any wardrobe miscues while visiting all the ACC schools. BY ETHAN HYMAN

Money from the ACC Network is starting to tumble into the ACC’s coffers, but the same questions that surrounded the launch of the network remain: Will it be enough? And is it too late?

The ACC’s tax filing from the 2019-20 academic year, provided by the conference on Friday, shows record revenue of $496.7 million for the conference, up from $455.4 million. For the first time, no full member received less than $30 million from the ACC. A good chunk of that comes from broadcast revenue, which jumped 15 percent to $332.8 million over the 10 months since the network’s launch.

That still leaves a large revenue gap with the Big Ten and SEC in particular, one that new commissioner Jim Phillips hopes the ACC can close not only as the network matures but by pushing harder to maximize football revenue.

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“We all understand just the economics of football,” Phillips said last week after the ACC’s annual meetings. “I don’t see the economics changing at all at any time in the future, near or far, relative to the ability to generate resources for your schools and for the conference.”

Or, as he said in more detail in March: “It’s a significant revenue gap. How do we strengthen football in our conference?”


With the increased broadcasting revenue, the ACC managed to increase its average payout per school to $32.3 million -- not counting Notre Dame -- but still lags behind some of its Power 5 peers. Powered by the Big Ten Network, that conference paid its legacy members $54.3 million, according to USA Today.

The SEC hasn’t yet filed its 2019-20 tax form, but it paid its members entitled to a full share between $44.5 million and $47.4 million in 2018-19 and recently announced a one-time bonus payment of $23 million per school to help cover COVID shortfalls.

Big 12 payouts were between $37 million and $40.5 million and the Pac-12 paid its members $33.6 million.

The increased ACC revenue did mean payouts for area schools were up substantially despite the early impact of COVID: North Carolina received $32.3 million from the ACC, up from $28.5 million in 2018-19; Duke received $31.1 million, up from $28.9 million; and N.C. State received $31.0 million, up from $28.5 million.

Those payouts are expected to continue to increase as the ACC Network continues to grow and mature, although next year’s numbers will be skewed dramatically by the pandemic and Notre Dame’s one-year cameo as a full football member. Not until May 2022 will there be a good sense of where the network is taking the ACC.

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“I’d just remind everybody we’re still in the infancy stage,” Phillips said. “I know the history of the Big Ten Network quite well, quite intimately. They had over a decade jump on us and you can see the success of that particular network. We’re bullish on our future as well and feel very strongly we’re headed in a similar kind of direction.”

A separate $46.5 million increase from 2018-19 was expected as the Orange Bowl was not part of the College Football Playoff, as it had been the previous year. But payments from the NCAA dropped $37.4 million due to COVID, and conference tournament revenue was also down slightly because of the cancellation of the 2020 ACC tournament in Greensboro.

For the first time, the ACC disclosed $301,553 in lobbying expenses regarding “issues related to potential legislation regarding student-athletes licensing their name, image and likeness for compensation.” John Swofford made $4 million in his final full year as commissioner.