What is the timeframe for this happening?
First, let me me clear here. I don't know that this 'Utah to the ACC' thing is real.
I am just saying that theoretically, it makes some sense. If Utah is really a free agent (which I think is a key and which appears to be the case), I could see the ACC, backed by ESPN, going after the Utes hard.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet but I think is a consideration is that Utah recruits California hard. Joining the Pac12 helped them towards this end a lot because there were 4 teams in the conference based there. They played in that state a lot and could promise that to their recruits.
Moving to the B12 could hurt them in their recruiting of kids from California. Joining the ACC would address that. Especially if the ACC added another California team as part of this expansion.
If Utah were to join the ACC, you can bank on them playing the other ACC schools based in California as often as possible. That would help reduce travel for all the ACC schools.
Anyway, to answer your question, I think if this happens, it happens quickly. Obviously Utah would not join the ACC for the 2024 season but if it happens, I think it will get worked out and approved fast.
You know the B12 is going to try and block this and the window of opportunity is not a big one. And from the perspective of the ACC, making a power move like this that would make the ACC stronger in football, reduce travel and boost revenue is going to help with the lawsuits, and going to help make everyone in the conference happier.
The biggest issue might be with Utah getting a far better deal than Cal, Stanford and SMU got. But they are in a better position to negotiate and frankly, their football program has been much better in the past decade. And if them joining gets the existing ACC schools more revenue, everyone wins. Even Cal, Stanford and SMU.
I made fun of Scoop Weiss breaking a big story on conference realignment a week or two ago. Him breaking this is crazy.
But this actually seems like it might be possible.