Conference realignment rumors: Speculation over 'handshake agreement' for North Carolina, Virginia if they leave ACC

As talking season comes to a close, the conference realignment winds started to blow once again. Rumors are swirling about North Carolina’s future in the ACC – and one insider said there’s speculation about a “handshake agreement” with the SEC.

The Post and Courier’s Scott Hamilton said Friday on The Paul Finebaum Show he heard UNC could have a gentlemen’s pact in place with the SEC. That same person told Hamilton Virginia could also be looking toward the Big Ten.

Inside Carolina initially reported North Carolina could be looking at an ACC exit. Hamilton indicated the Tar Heels could be the top choice for the SEC with Florida State and Clemson vying for the No. 2 spot.

“I actually had a source today tell me that North Carolina has a handshake agreement with the SEC,” Hamilton said. “That same source tells me Virginia has one with the Big Ten.

“Now it needs some more vetting, some more reporting, but that pretty much says it all, that that school would be the one to actually maybe have some kind of verbal agreement, understanding, whatever, to go to elsewhere. … I think it’s UNC No. 1, and then I think it’s Florida State-Clemson [or] Clemson-Florida State No. 2 after that.”

Inside Carolina sources reportedly named the SEC as the conference “the Tar Heels are aiming” to land, should it ultimately exit the ACC and create another realignment shift. That news comes as the ACC begins a new revenue-share model this year and saw its exit fees change.

If a school were to leave the ACC in 2025-26, it would owe $165 million. That number drops to $147 million in 2026-27, $129 million in 2027-28 and $111 million in 2028-29. After it hits $93 million in 2029-30, schools would owe a $75 million exit fee from 2030-2036. Inside Carolina reported that “would figure to become an important final line of demarcation, if the Tar Heels haven’t made their departure (from the ACC) sooner.”

When it comes to UNC as a brand, Hamilton said it’s notable the university is so well-regarded by the SEC, based on what he’s hearing. He cited multiple factors, including the partnership with Jordan Brand and the reputation in non-revenue and Olympic sports.

“I think that talks about the brand of North Carolina and what that school brings – not just in football,” Hamilton said. “They haven’t won a conference title since 1980. But you look at the basketball, you look at the academics, you look at the Olympic sports. And of course, it doesn’t hurt to have that Jumpman logo tethered to your school colors.”