ACC revenue up 14% in 2022-23 but still behind Big Ten, SEC

The ACC generated a record $706.6 million in gross revenue in 2022-23, distributing an average of $44.8 million among its 14 football-playing members.

That number is a 14.5% increase over the previous year and the second largest year-over-year increase in league history. Yet despite the record growth, the ACC remains behind the Big Ten (about $880 million) and the SEC ($852.6 million). That gap will widen in the coming years with new television contracts for both the Big Ten and the SEC.

This looming gap is one of the biggest reasons Florida State and Clemson have filed a lawsuit against the ACC as they try to navigate their long-term futures.

According to the 990 form released Thursday, ACC Television Media’s revenue grew 9% as it entered its third year of full distribution for ACC Networks. The average disbursement per school is 13.7% higher than the previous year and an increase of 88.2% from 2015-16.

Notre Dame, a member of all sports except football, received $22.1 million.

Commissioner Jim Phillips earned $2.76 million for the 2022-23 fiscal year, while former Commissioner John Swafford was listed as the second-highest salary at $2.59 million. Since his retirement in 2021, Swafford has earned nearly $6 million from the ACC.

Although the ACC has trailed the Big Ten and SEC in terms of revenue, that hasn’t stopped the league from having a banner year in 2022-23. The ACC has won nine national titles, more than any other conference, and has advanced teams to the Final Four in both men’s and women’s basketball.