Report: UNC Viewed as SEC, Big Ten's Most Attractive Expansion Target from ACC

If the ACC ultimately disbands or loses some of its major programs in the wake of both Clemson and Florida State suing the conference in what appears to be an effort to leave, North Carolina reportedly will be a major target for the SEC and Big Ten.

According to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, "many within the industry believe [UNC] is the most attractive expansion target for the Power Two."

"North Carolina," an industry source told him, "is the lynchpin."

So why North Carolina over programs like Florida State and Clemson or even Miami, which have been far more successful in football throughout the years?

For one, Dellenger notes that the SEC already has roots in both the Florida (Gators) and South Carolina (Gamecocks) markets. It does not have a program in North Carolina, however. And it's not as though the Big Ten or SEC are hurting for football powerhouses.

Plus, the Big Ten and SEC schools would likely want more television money from Fox and ESPN, respectively, to offset the dilution of their television revenue by adding more teams. If more hands are in the honey pot, it makes sense to shop for a bigger container.

But North Carolina is one of the biggest brands in college sports, period, thanks in large part to the incredibly successful and popular men's basketball team. Academically it's also an attractive option and boasts strong programs in Olympic sports.

It also isn't the first time that North Carolina has been mentioned in the same breath as the SEC and Big Ten. In June, ESPN's Pete Thamel said that both North Carolina and Virginia would be "coveted" by both conferences, though Notre Dame was seen as the top prize in any potential future realignment (h/t Griffin McVeigh of On3).

"North Carolina and Virginia mark a geographic, population and recruiting battleground for the SEC and Big Ten," he added. "They are desirable media markets and could help with student recruiting, as they are the No. 9 (North Carolina) and No. 12 (Virginia) most populous states in the country. Both North Carolina and Virginia are in contiguous states for both leagues."

It's all a moot point, of course, if the disgruntled ACC schools are unable to escape the conference's prohibitive grant of rights, which binds their media rights to the ACC and ESPN until 2036, lest they pay an exorbitant exit fee.

But if the ACC disbands or the courts cut down on those expensive exit fees, expect the Tar Heels to be the SEC and Big Ten's first call.