ACC Commissioner Celebrating Achievements and Preparing for an Exciting Football Season

Charlotte, NC – On Tuesday, July 25th, 2023, Jim Phillips, the ACC head commissioner, commenced the Atlantic Coast Conference Kickoff by paying tribute to Lavel Davis, Devin Chandler, and D’sean Perry, three Virginia football players who tragically lost their lives in the past year. He also highlighted the ACC’s recent achievements, such as The Walt Disney Company and Ally Financial Inc. extending their marketing presence and robust support for women’s sports through a multi-year, multimillion-dollar investment aimed at advancing equality in women’s sports coverage. Ally became the official sponsor of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), featuring the first-ever title sponsorships of the ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament and Women’s Soccer Championship, along with the exclusive presenting sponsorship of the 2023 ACC Women’s Lacrosse Championship.

Looking ahead to the upcoming football season, Phillips announced that the ACC is excited about gaining more exposure by adding the CW network to its broadcasting networks. The first three weeks of the season will feature nationally aired ACC games on ABC, and College Game Day will be live in Charlotte, North Carolina on September 2nd for week 1, showcasing the Tarheels’ season opener and promising an exciting start to college sports football.

Phillips emphasized that the health and safety of all athletes remain a top priority. He stressed the importance of student-athletes having access to representation from certified agents, based on facts and not false truths, regarding NIL deals, ensuring that “athletes are looked upon as athletes and not employers.” The ACC commissioners have also introduced new playing rules, allowing the clock to continue running during 1st down, which will limit unsafe contact exposures. Moreover, the conference recently expanded playoff games, permitting teams to suffer a loss and still have the potential to qualify for a 12-team playoff.

ACC football teams will kick off their 2023 season on Thursday, August 31st.