In a dramatic reversal that required weeks of negotiating and major financial concessions, Atlantic Coast Conference presidents voted Friday to admit Stanford, California and Southern Methodist University as new members in all sports for 2024, sources tell Sports Illustrated.
Since the Pac-12 splintered Aug. 4, the two Bay Area schools have been adrift and looking for a future home. The ACC had been in discussions with Stanford and Cal since that time, but for three weeks the league did not have the necessary 12 of 15 members in favor of adding the Cardinal and Golden Bears. A straw poll of presidents on Aug. 9 revealed that four schools in particular were opposed: Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina and North Carolina State.
SMU, a member of the American Athletic Conference, also threw its hat in the ACC ring in August. The Mustangs were described as a lower priority at the time but made up ground.
