DEVELOPING: Louisville To The ACC

The ACC Council of Presidents voted unanimously this morning to invite Louisville as a member of the conference. 

Louisville, Cincinnati and Connecticut were vetted by the Council Tuesday to replace Maryland who is bolting for the Big Ten.

“With its aggressive approach to excellence in every respect, the University of Louisville will enhance our league’s culture and commitment to the cornerstones we were founded on 60 years ago,”  ACC Commissioner John Swofford said in a prepared statement.

Conference realignment has been driven by the size of the TV market that particular school could deliver.  This move goes against that trend. 

Louisville may not deliver a large TV market but they do bring a great basketball program that will immediately complete for the ACC Championships and a football program on the rise.  An athletic program that is capable of winning championships in the big money sports, football and men's basketball, was more important that the number of TV households.
Louisville athletic administrators have been openly lobbying to join either the Big 12 or the ACC.  U of L was denied by the Big 12 last year when that conference decided to add West Virginia.  Now the Cardinals have found a home in the ACC.

“When it became apparent to us that we needed to make a move, the ACC is the perfect fit for us and we are so elated to be joining this prestigious conference,” Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich said in a prepared statement.

By inviting Louisville and losing Maryland it's addition by subtraction.  Louisville has been thriving in men's basketball while Maryland is rebuilding.  The Cardinals have all the elements to become a football power but can't shake the reputation of their current conference, the Big East.  Maryland is rebuilding in football too.

It's a win-win for both parties.  There's a football upside for Louisville joining and the ACC needs help there big time.  Once again a very strong men's basketball conference just became mega strong.

Do you realize this conference will have as head coaches Mike Krzyzewski, Roy Williams, Jim Boeheim (Syracuse joins the ACC next season) and Rick Pitino.

This is a great move by the ACC.

Here's ACC Commissioner John Swofford's comments on Louisville joining the conference (Thanks accdn.com)