Plausible ACC HQ Sites:

Raleigh CMSA
46.9% with at least a BA
20% with post grad
2.1 M
12.6% Foreign Born
NC State, UNC, Duke in metro
Med Schools – 2
Other Universities – NC Central, Meredith
Pro Teams – Carolina Hurricanes
ACC schools in 3 hour drive – NCSU, UVA, VT, Duke, WF, UNC
3.5 seasons – very mild winter

Charlotte CMSA
36.2 % with at least a BA
2.6 M
12% with post grad
11% Foreign Born
No P-5 in Metro
Med School 0 (WF building one)
Other Universities – UNC Charlotte
Pro Teams – Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets
ACC schools in 3 hour drive time CU, UNC, WF, Duke, NCSU, VT
3. 5 seasons – very mild winter

Greensboro CMSA
27.8% with at least a BA
1.6 M
10% with post grad
8 % Foreign Born
WF in metro
Med Schools – 0
Other Universities – UNC-G, Winston Salem State, NC A&T, Guilford College, Greensboro College
Pro Teams – 0
ACC schools in 3 hour drive time – NCSU, UNC, Duke, WF, VT, UVa
3.5 Seasons – mild winter

Atlanta CMSA
40% with at least a BA
6 M
15% with post grad
11% Foreign Born
GT and UGa in metro
Med Schools – 2
Other Universities, Emory, Spellman, Morehouse
Pro Teams – Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks
ACC schools in 3 hour drive time – GT, Clemson
3 seasons – winter? sometimes

DC/NOVA CMSA
51.4% with at least a BA
25% post grad
6.2 M
23% Foreign Born
MD in metro
Med Schools – 4
Other Universities Georgetown, GW, American, George Mason
Pro Teams – Washington Redskins, Washington Nationals, Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals
ACC schools in 3 hour drive time - Va
True 4 seasons – variable winter


I listed variables that might matter when it comes to the place of college sports in the region and the region's people. Atlanta is a Pro and SEC town. I would rather take an ass whipp'n that drive to Atlanta for any reason. DC is somewhat better but not past the mixing bowl in Arlington. Greensboro is a former mill town, so is Charlotte and so is Durham (part of Raleigh CMSA). Now if you are talking about Dulles and that part of NOVA, what is actually on side of the Potomac that is not in Raleigh other than the Pentagon, Arlington Cemetery, and CIA HQ?

I get that Phillips is missing Chicago and Greensboro is dull by most any standard. If you are moving to get the ACC away from Duke and UNC control, you will not get that in Charlotte. You have a better chance in Raleigh and perhaps the best chance in DC/NOVA. I don't think we gain by moving to a pro town with pro town media. Consider that the best source of ACC news is found in Richmond via Dave Teel who used to be in Roanoke.

In 30 years the Raleigh CMSA will be the dominate region between Atlanta and DC, something to consider.