Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels are reportedly looking to leave the ACC.
There’s been a lot of conference movement over the past decade-plus. North Carolina has always been seen as a top-tier potential addition for conferences like the Big Ten and the SEC. However, the Tar Heels have stayed loyal to the ACC.
Until now, that is.
North Carolina is currently exploring a move away from the ACC, according to a report from Inside North Carolina. The Tar Heels are reportedly very interested in leaving the ACC to join the SEC.
Inside Carolina has reported that UNC is “seeking a potential departure from the ACC” for “when the next round of conference realignment comes around.”
UNC is considered to be at the top of the list for many conferences, along with their ACC colleague, Clemson.
The Chapel Hill, North Carolina school is reportedly eyeing a move to the SEC over the Big Ten. The SEC is one of the top two football conferences in the country. It’s also one of the two richest. It’s the Big Ten, the SEC and then everyone else in college sports right now.
The ACC currently has a very steep exit fee, set around $93 million as of 2025. However, that number takes a significant dip to $75 million when the 2030-31 school year rolls around. If the Tar Heels are still in the ACC at that point, they could be on the verge of a departure.
North Carolina is thought of very highly, as it’s both a great academic school – one of the top public universities in the country – and one of the top athletic schools in the country. UNC’s basketball program is one of the best in the nation and the football program, now led by Bill Belichick, has a much higher profile.
It’ll be fascinating to see if UNC decides to leave.
