The University of North Carolina says it backs the Protect College Sports Act, even as it pushes for one more change that would make a potential ACC exit easier to manage.
In a statement released Friday, UNC laid out its position clearly: the school supports the bill, but still wants lawmakers to tweak it. UNC has been working in recent weeks with Florida State, Miami and Clemson to try to influence the legislation.
“UNC Strongly supports the Protect College Sports Act and we have been consistent from the start that it is critical to the future and stability of college athletics.
"Supporting the bill and seeking to improve it are not in conflict. The Senate version was strengthened through many modifications, and our request for one targeted amendment is part of that same process.
"Congress can protect college sports without litigating conference composition, and we look forward to working with the House to get this legislation enacted.”
One key change already made by the Senate shortened the required waiting period for a school to operate as an independent athletics department from five years to three. UNC, Miami, Clemson and Florida State want that period reduced even further.
The four schools have all signaled, publicly or through reporting from sources, an interest in leaving the ACC. UNC is one of the conference’s charter members, dating back to the league’s formation on May 8, 1953.
If a school leaves the ACC as early as next spring, it would owe a $147 million exit fee. Under the current version of the PCSA, it would also need to spend three years as an independent before joining another conference, a stretch that would mean no annual ACC payouts and a serious financial hit for UNC or any other school in that position.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives.
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