ACC, Pac-12 And Big Ten Finalizing Agreement To Form Alliance

An alliance between the Pac-12, ACC and Big Ten is reportedly in final stages and slated for announcement next week, according to breaking news released on Friday by The Athletic.

The near-finalized agreement to unite the three conferences, in terms of scheduling and "broader cooperation going forward,” was announced just a week after college football reporter Max Olson reported on developments happening behind the scenes.

Nicole Auerbach broke news of the official alignment with the following:

"The Big Ten, Pac-12 and ACC are expected to make a formal announcement about their alignment soon, perhaps as early as next week ..."

Rumored meetings that took place in Chicago between commissioners George Kliavkoff (Pac-12), Kevin Warren (Big Ten) and Jim Phillips (ACC), along with some discussions among their athletic directors, had been culminating into a proposed counter-play to the SEC's expansion in star power — and bump in revenue — after elevating itself to super-conference status by taking on Oklahoma and Texas.

Ultimately, the decision made on behalf of presidents from all three unifying conferences hopes that established connections — namely the Big Ten and Pac-12 — and a new paradigm for the college football landscape can keep the programs afloat once the SEC reaches its full potential in 2025 ... or much Sooner.

The conversation around an expanded CFB playoff picture, seemingly on the horizon, will be an intriguing storyline going forward — considering the ACC's past trepidations with the 12-team move.

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Follow along on Twitter: @AlejandroAveela