Cal, Stanford, and SMU Navigate ACC Transition with Extensive Planning

The former Pac-12 and AAC schools face logistical challenges and new opportunities as they join the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Cal and Stanford will undertake significant cross-country travel for ACC games, requiring new scheduling and logistical adjustments.
Both schools will travel on larger planes and leave a day earlier for games to accommodate the long distances.
SMU's move to the ACC involves less travel complexity but significant investment in facilities and recruiting to compete at the Power 4 level.
ACC's expansion aims to close the revenue gap with other major conferences, projecting $600 million in additional revenue.
The transition follows the disintegration of the Pac-12 and strategic moves by schools to secure their positions in a major conference.