Report from Dallas: SMU has had discussions with the ACC

By Jerry Ratcliffe

According to a report in the Dallas Morning News, there have been conversations between SMU and the ACC about possible future membership.

The Mustangs, a member of the American Athletic Conference, have also had conversations with the Big 12 and Pac-12.

Located in Dallas, the addition of Southern Methodist (SMU) is an interesting possibility. One of the driving forces in conference expansion is television markets, and Dallas is the fifth-largest market in the nation according to the 2021-22 Designated Market Areas by Neilsen.

However, according to sources in Texas, neither SMU or TCU carry the Dallas/Fort Worth market, which is dominated by the University of Texas and Oklahoma, which will be joining the SEC.

Still, pundits argue this “what if?”

What if SMU becomes a member of the ACC and suddenly, Notre Dame, Clemson, North Carolina and Duke (basketball) are introduced into the DFW television market?

Certainly the ACC would have a new area of exposure and a talent-rich region would possibly open up to recruiting. SMU would be a good academic fit in the ACC as well.

While it may seem far-fetched, it has at least been confirmed that there have been discussions and a topic worthy of paying attention in the not-to-distant future.