UCF, Cincinnati and Houston are “contractually required to remain with the AAC” through ’24, but all indications are that the three schools “would prefer to leave” in ’23, according to Matt Murschel of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco said, “We’ve had ongoing discussions with the group and they’ve been very amicable ... I’m hoping that by spring, we’ll have something resolved.” Aresco added that a move “needs to happen sooner rather than later” because of the “logistics involved” with the three departures and adding six new member schools. Aresco: “It behooves us to try -- if those schools want to leave early -- to get something marked out.” If UCF, Cincinnati and Houston "insist on leaving" by ‘23, the AAC “would require a financial settlement.” Aresco: “We would have to negotiate a settlement and we’re happy to do that." As soon as the three schools depart, whether, in ‘23 or ‘24, Aresco “wants to see the six newest member schools join" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 1/28).
AAC likely to accommodate schools wanting to exit conference before '24
