ACC revenue dips to $373M for 2015-16 year

Revenue for the ACC dipped slightly from $403 million to $373 million for the 2015-16 year, according to federal tax returns obtained by Andrea Adelson of ESPN.

The drop in numbers was expected by the conference, as the $403 million figure was aided by a $31-million exit fee from Maryland for joining the Big Ten, and a payout from the Capital One Orange Bowl. Usually the ACC receives a payout from that postseason matchup, but since it hosted a CFP semifinal in 2016, the conference did not receive that money.

While overall revenue fell, the ACC added $9 million from its television payout, topping out at $226 million for the time period, as well as $85.9 million in bowl payouts and $20.6 million from the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

The average payout for the 14 schools in the conference was $26.3 million with national champion Clemson the leader at $27.9 million.