ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips Discusses Growth of Women’s Sports in ACC

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has seen a real surge in women’s sports lately. From volleyball to basketball, they’re making headlines and pushing boundaries.

It’s not just talk—the ACC is showing up in the rankings. Commissioner Jim Phillips has shared plenty of insights about where things are headed.

The Rise of ACC Women’s Sports

In the past few years, the ACC has become a real force in women’s sports. Volleyball, for example, has Pitt and Louisville both projected as No. 1 seeds in ESPN’s bracketology.

Field hockey? North Carolina and Virginia are right at the top of the RPI rankings. In soccer, Notre Dame, Stanford, and Virginia are dominating the coaches’ poll.

Clearly, the ACC is putting in the work. These standings aren’t just luck—they reflect real dedication.

Women’s Basketball: A Shining Star

Women’s basketball stands out for the ACC, even though the conference hasn’t snagged a national title since 2018. Still, they’ve sent eight teams to the NCAA Tournament for seven straight seasons—no other league can say that.

There’s also that wild streak: the ACC has had at least one team in the Elite Eight for the last 23 seasons. This year, they’re shaking things up by moving the conference tournament from Greensboro, North Carolina, to Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia.

The hope? Grow the game and pull in more fans. It’s a bold move, but maybe it’s time for a fresh start.

Volleyball and Softball: Growing Sports

The ACC is taking a thoughtful approach with volleyball and softball tournaments. Unlike the SEC and Big 12, the ACC hasn’t held a volleyball tournament since 2004.

Commissioner Phillips says coaches wanted to focus on the regular season to get ready for the postseason. He’s not ruling out a tournament in the future, though—if coaches change their minds, the conversation’s open.

Softball Tournament Dynamics

Right now, the ACC holds its softball tournament at different campus sites each year. Coaches and fans seem to like this setup—it brings the action to new communities and keeps things interesting.

There’s been some chatter about moving to a neutral site, but honestly, the current system works. As softball keeps growing, the ACC is staying flexible.

Revenue Distribution and Viewership

Revenue distribution in the ACC mostly revolves around football and men’s basketball TV viewership. But with more women’s basketball games on big networks, things could shift.

Take the Duke vs. North Carolina game—it’s airing on ABC. That’s a pretty big deal for women’s basketball.

So far, the Board of Directors hasn’t factored women’s basketball viewership into revenue splits. Postseason performance does matter, though, and teams that go far get rewarded through the success initiative program.

Future Prospects

Women’s basketball is definitely gaining steam. The 2028 Final Four lands at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, which says a lot about the sport’s momentum.

Commissioner Phillips keeps stressing how important it is to invest in women’s basketball. The ACC is adding 12 more games to their ESPN lineup and beefing up the non-conference schedule.

They’re committed to marketing, promoting, and building the brand. It feels like the best is yet to come.

Conclusion

The Atlantic Coast Conference is making big moves in women’s sports. Volleyball, softball, and basketball seem to be leading the way.