Report: ESPN orders ACC to change football schedule, gives 2 options

When ESPN and the ACC came together to form the ACC Network, a channel set to launch in August 2019, there were a couple conditions attached, according to David Teel of the Daily Press.

ESPN wanted the conference to change both its basketball and football schedules. There is no option for basketball, as it has to increase conference games from 18 to 20 a season in a decision that was announced last month.

With football, there's still the option to increase its conference schedule from eight to nine games while continuing to schedule one Power 5 opponent. There's also the alternative of remaining at eight conference games, but scheduling two Power 5 games per year.

Commissioner John Swafford will discuss the options with the conference's athletic director's on Friday.

The ACC Network will reportedly air 40 football and 100 basketball games per year.