Column: The ACC Network is Reason for Rejoice

Well, it’s really happening.

On Monday, multiple reports confirmed that the Atlantic Coast Conference and the ESPN family of networks would be teaming up to bring the ACC Network to fruition. According to reports, the network will begin this fall as a digital streaming outlet before becoming a linear channel in 2019. For Florida State fans looking for the downside to the deal, this isn’t the place to find it.

Obviously, the introduction of the network means more revenue for the ACC and ultimately, FSU. That however, isn’t the only benefit. So, what else does the ACC Network mean? It means games.

For Florida State’s football program, this isn’t an enormous deal. Given the Seminoles’ stature as a national power, FSU is on television — usually national television — every week with the occasional contest with an FCS opponent being relegated to ESPN3. Even then, Florida State hasn’t played an ESPN3-only football game since hosting Bethune-Cookman in 2013.

For Florida State fans located outside of the Atlantic coast, this does matter. Every year, FSU plays a handful of games that are regional telecasts either with ABC (which shares an owner with ESPN) or the Raycom Sports Network.

The same will largely be true for men’s basketball. Only three of Florida State’s 34 games last season were ESPN3-only, but seven ACC games were regional broadcasts.

The biggest bump in coverage will likely go to baseball and non-revenue sports.

Last season, the Seminoles had only two regular season baseball games — one at Florida and one at Clemson — that didn’t have to be streamed. Even the Tallahassee Regional was an ESPN3 broadcast. The ACC Tournament was available locally, but viewers in Florida weren’t able to watch the Saturday game of the tournament with Miami.

That’s because it occurred at the same time as Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins games which were being aired on Sun Sports and Fox Sports Florida, respectively. Those two networks serve as an outlet for ACC regional programming.

The invention of the ACC Network could also bring some exposure to some of FSU’s other premier programs. Both the soccer and softball teams were national semifinalists last season, but only five regular season softball games and four regular season soccer games were available outside of an internet stream.

The ACC softball tournament was aired locally and the championship was aired nationally on ESPN. Like baseball however, the Tallahassee Regional was internet-only. Only the ACC soccer final was televised while the rest of the tournament was on ESPN3. The Seminoles didn’t have a single NCAA Tournament game televised until the College Cup or national semifinal.

It’s also important not to downplay the significance of the deal being with ESPN’s family of networks. Love them or hate them, ESPN is called the “worldwide leader in sports” for a reason. No matter how many other sports outlets pop up, ESPN will always be king. The deal will extend the network’s contract with the conference through the 2035-36 academic year.

Over the last few years, Florida State fans have had their qualms about ESPN. Since the inception of the SEC Network in 2014, FSU fans have perceived a bias from ESPN when mentioning the SEC as though the network was “protecting its brand”. Whether that’s true or not, having the ACC under ESPN’s umbrella should eliminate that perception.

It probably won’t be enough for Notre Dame to join the conference for football, but on the surface, the new network will likely bring the ACC and ultimately FSU, more money and exposure. Unless Paul Finebaum is given his own program, it’s hard to see the downside at the moment.