NC, Clemson May Be On the Move

The University of North Carolina, alongside Clemson, is among a group of schools “interested in seeking a potential departure from the ACC” with the next realignment

July 25, 2025

Report: UNC Leading Group Looking to Leave ACC With Next Realignment
The University of North Carolina is among a group of schools “interested in seeking a potential departure from the ACC” when the next round of realignment takes place, and it “even could be considered at the front of that pack, alongside Clemson,” according to sources cited by Adam Smith of INSIDE CAROLINA via SBJ.

Sources said that the SEC “is where the Tar Heels are aiming” under the leadership of Chancellor Lee Roberts and incoming AD Steve Newmark should a move occur. The ACC’s decreasing exit fees dip from $93M to a flat $75M threshold with the 2030-31 school year, and sources indicated that “would figure to become an important final line of demarcation, if the Tar Heels haven’t made their departure sooner.”
^{Inside Carolina via Sports Business Journal}

Michael Johnson Says Investor Pulling Out Caused Grand Slam Track’s ‘Major, Major Cash Flow Issue’
FOS’ Dennis Young writes, “Grand Slam Track is in a multimillion-dollar hole because an investor backed out of their full commitment, founder Michael Johnson told Front Office Sports. The beleaguered running startup owes athletes at least $13 million plus an untold sum to vendors, including one venue where the league has missed multiple deadlines to pay its bill.”
^{Front Office Sports}

CBS Sports to Get New Owner As Skydance Merger Clears FCC Hurdle
FOS’ Eric Fisher writes, “CBS Sports is about to have a new corporate parent as the $8 billion, long-planned merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media gained approval late Thursday from the Federal Communications Commission. What’s unknown, though, is how much collateral damage was incurred to gain that assent. 

Though more than a year in development, the FCC approval arrived just 23 days after Paramount, also the current parent of 60 Minutes, in addition to CBS Sports, agreed to a $16 million legal settlement with U.S. President Donald Trump to resolve a $20 billion legal claim centered on alleged election interference. Though Trump’s suit was widely deemed to be legally specious, Paramount made the deal to avoid ‘being mired in uncertainty and distraction,’ company co-CEO George Cheeks said. 
^{Front Office Sports}

Garber Provides Rare Numerical Nugget on MLS Season Pass Viewership, But Ambiguity Leaves Questions
SBJ’s Alex Silverman writes, “MLS Commissioner Don Garber offered the public a rare bit of data regarding viewership of live matches under its media deal with Apple, stating that its Season Pass streams are “averaging 120,000 unique viewers per match” in 2025. Apple and MLS have largely declined to share viewership data since the launch of Season Pass in early 2023, making Garber’s comment one of the few data points released to date.
^{Sports Business Journal}

First D.C. Vote on RFK Stadium Deal Coming Aug. 1
The first vote by the D.C. Council on the RFK Stadium deal is “scheduled for Aug. 1,” after the council “hears public testimony on Tuesday and Wednesday” from residents, officials from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s administration and Commanders reps. D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson scheduling the vote follows his reaching of a modified agreement with the Commanders to redevelop the RFK Stadium site with public funds. The deal announced today “keeps intact much of the initial” $3.7B agreement the Commanders negotiated with Bowser earlier this year.
^{Washington Post via Sports Business Journal}

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Trump Signs Executive Order Aimed at Bringing Order to College Sports: Here’s What It Means
The Athletic’s Ralph D. Russo writes, “The SCORE Act, which would help regulate college sports and how athletes are compensated by schools, made it through two Republican-led House committees on partisan lines Wednesday. No college sports bill has ever gotten so far.

“The move clears the way for a possible vote on the House floor when Congress returns from summer recess, but with little Democratic support, its chances of passing the Senate are dim.”
^{The Athletic}

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