The text message conversation began on the afternoon of June 30 the way countless others around the country did, with two people with an interest in college athletics commiserating about the news of the day. They were not merely fans, though, but two of the most powerful figures in the ACC, leaders with an ability to shape the future of the conference, and college sports.
“I just heard USC and UCLA may announce today they are joining the Big Ten,” Bubba Cunningham, the athletic director at North Carolina, texted to Kevin Guskiewicz, the university chancellor, as the news began to spread of another round of major conference realignment.
A few hours later Guskiewicz responded. The ACC’s presidents and chancellors had scheduled a meeting for the morning, and first he wanted to talk with his athletic director. They agreed to a 6 p.m. call. After, around 10:30, Cunningham texted his boss again.
