Here is the latest ACC sports news from The Associated Press
Published 3:30 am Saturday, August 10, 2024
UNDATED (AP) — Plaintiffs’ attorneys in a federal antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA that is not part of a recent $2.78 billion settlement agreement filed a motion Friday asking a judge to deny preliminary approval of the deal. Attorneys in Fontenot v. the NCAA say the agreement to settle three antitrust lawsuits facing the association and five major conferences is settling for “just pennies on the dollar.” The NCAA, Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and Southeastern Conference agreed in May to pay billions in damages to former and current college athletes. A preliminary approval hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 5.
UNDATED (AP) — Women’s college basketball teams are a step away from getting financially rewarded for success in the NCAA Tournament. The Division I Board of Directors agreed to introduce a proposal to give performance units to teams that make March Madness. Units represent revenue from the NCAA’s lucrative media rights deal. They have long been a part of the men’s tournament. Under the new media rights deal with ESPN, women’s basketball is valued at $65 million per tournament — roughly 10 times more than in the contract that ends this year. If approved in January, the plan would take effect in 2025.
NEW YORK (AP) — Georgia will open the season ranked No. 1 in the preseason USA Today Coaches Poll a year after having its two-year run as national champion end. The Bulldogs received 46 of the 55 first-place votes from college football coaches. Preseason No. 2 Ohio State got seven votes at No. 1, followed by Oregon, Texas and Alabama. The Associated Press preseason college football poll is scheduled to be released next Monday. Texas and defending national champion Michigan each got a first-place vote. The Wolverines will open ranked No. 8.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Reigning champion Florida State is the preseason pick to win the expanded Atlantic Coast Conference football race. The Seminoles received 81 of 170 first-place votes from attendees at last week’s “ACC Kickoff” preseason media days, followed by Clemson in second with 55 votes. Miami was picked third, followed by North Carolina State and Louisville as the top contenders. Virginia Tech was sixth, followed by SMU, North Carolina, Georgia Tech and California. Duke was picked 11th, followed by Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Boston College, Wake Forest, Virginia and Stanford.