ESPN picks up option on ACC contract through 2036

ESPN has agreed to exercise its option to continue broadcasting Atlantic Coast Conference sporting events through 2036, the network reported on Thursday.

ESPN had until Feb. 1 to pick up the option on a 20-year contract it signed in 2016. The deal would have ended after the 2027 season had the network declined to do so.

While the ACC board of directors voted Wednesday, ESPN reported that the conference is working on ways of creating more marquee games in football and men's basketball. Those "value adds" are expected to help increase a new revenue distribution model as the ACC works toward a settlement with Clemson and Florida State.

Per ESPN, a proposed plan has a percentage of the ACC's television revenue included in a "brand" fund -- with that money going to schools that annually generate the most revenue for the league in football and men's and women's basketball.

Should that come to fruition, Clemson and Florida State likely would drop lawsuits that they currently have against the conference. The Tigers and Seminoles are suing the ACC in an attempt to back out of the conference's grant of rights.

With the grant of rights, which is in effect through 2036, Clemson and Florida State's media rights are attached to the conference itself.

Per ESPN, multiple athletic directors have said that this also could affect Notre Dame as a means to create additional games against top-tier teams within the conference.

--Field Level Media