ACC Doing Fine With Revenue Sources

It seems that the ACC league expansion and all that is associated with it is looking good for the financial health of the ACC and its member schools. A recent report reveals the following:

An increase of nearly $20 million in gross revenue -- a 15.4 percent jump -- over the previous tax year.

About $6 million of that came from the single line item of football television money.

The nine members who formed the conference before the most recent round of expansion collectively received 8.4 percent more cash from the league in 2005-06 than in the previous year.(excludes Miami, BC, and Va Tech)

Not surprisingly, the football television money is the most important single increase, having gone from $23,176,000 in the 2003 season, the final one with nine members, to $35,750,000 in 2005-06. More than 90 percent of that income comes from a contract with ESPN and ABC that runs through the 2010 season.

It is also interesting to note that unlike other major conferences,the ACC maintains a nearly 50-50 balance between football and basketball revenue. The Southeastern Conference on the other hand is heavily tilted toward football.

The ACC reported it disbursed 87.55 percent of its total revenue to its members, a slight decrease from the 88.60 figure of the previous year. The difference is attributable to start-up administrative costs associated with the football championship game.

All in all, it looks pretty bright for the ACC in the near future.