CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner Jim Phillips looks at corporate sponsorships as a way for his league's schools to boost their bottom lines. In an interview with The Associated Press, Phillips said at least some of the ACC's financial gains in recent years have come through increased emphasis on finding corporate sponsorship revenue. The league is generating record revenue totals but is continuing to chase more revenue streams while facing a significant gap behind the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference. Phillips said the corporate sponsorships add up to supplement the money coming primarily from the ACC's media rights deal with ESPN.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Atlantic Coast Conference is revamping the tiebreaker format for its football championship game following a controversial finish last season that allowed a five-loss Duke team to reach the title game over then No. 10-ranked Miami. That put the Hurricanes at risk of not making the College Football Playoff. When head-to-head competition cannot separate tied teams, the team with the strongest overall body of work will earn the opportunity to compete for the ACC championship and the conference’s automatic qualifier to the College Football Playoff. ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips says that will be based on a SportSource Analytics metric used by the CFP.
DALLAS (AP) — SMU has launched a Heisman Trophy campaign for senior quarterback Kevin Jennings. The school is also putting his name on a new recovery center in its football complex. The third-year hometown starting quarterback, who led the Mustangs to the College Football Playoff two seasons ago, is believed to be the first current player to have an area on campus named for him while still active in his college career. The Kevin Jennings Recovery Center will include two dedicated spaces with state-of-the-art equipment for physical and mental recovery. SMU says the recovery center inspired by Jennings’ vision was made possible by financial support from alumni.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Virginia coach Tony Elliott has named Missouri transfer Beau Pribula the team’s starting quarterback for the 2026 season. The Cavaliers, who are defending Atlantic Coast Conference champions, open the season at home against North Carolina State on August 29. Pribula completed 67.4% of his passes last season for 1,941 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He also ran for 297 yards and six touchdowns. Elliott praised Pribula’s leadership and intelligence, noting his determination to improve. Pribula said Elliott’s confidence in him is reassuring as he prepares for summer workouts.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Miami Hurricanes have gained attention in college football by acquiring top transfer quarterbacks. Darian Mensah from Duke is the latest to join, inspired by the success of Cam Ward and Carson Beck. Ward became the top NFL draft pick in 2025, and Beck led Miami to the College Football Playoff championship game last season. Mensah moved to Miami after a legal dispute with Duke, where he excelled last season. He aims to win a national title and boost his NFL prospects. Mensah feels at home in Miami and is focused on the upcoming season, downplaying the role of NIL money in his decision.
UNDATED (AP) — Beginning with next year’s NCAA women’s basketball tournament, the top 16 teams will be placed in the bracket in their true ranking regardless of conference affiliation. In the past, the top four teams in a conference would be placed in different regions to protect them from playing each other until the Final Four. For example, the tournament this past season had four SEC teams in the top eight overall seeds. Texas was third, South Carolina fourth, LSU fifth and Vanderbilt seventh. The Gamecocks and Tigers would now be in the same region instead of moving them to different ones.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Atlantic Coast Conference has hired Gary Patterson as supervisor of football officials. The league announced the hiring Monday after Al Riveron announced last week he is stepping down. It marks a return for the longtime official to the league. He had worked as an ACC on-field official since 2002 and as a referee since 2009 before quitting last September. ESPN reported at the time it came in frustration with the handling of a replay review during the UConn-Syracuse game. Patterson has worked the 2009 BCS championship game, four ACC title games and numerous bowl games in his career.
CINCINNATI (AP) — An Ohio judge has granted a preliminary injunction for 24 men’s and women’s college basketball players suing the NCAA to be eligible, claiming the new age-based model unfairly shuts them out of further competition. Judge Christopher Wagner said Thursday the NCAA eligibility rules have been applied in an arbitrary and capricious manner. Wagner’s ruling allows the athletes in the lawsuit an opportunity to enter the transfer portal. He scheduled a conference for Aug. 4 to prepare for a trial. Downton has filed similar lawsuits against the NCAA on behalf of nearly 30 men’s and women’s basketball players.
