ACC to Publish Game Availability Reports Prior to Conference Play

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) will begin releasing detailed player availability reports at least 48 hours before all conference games this football season, aiming to enhance transparency and address concerns stemming from the burgeoning sports gambling market.
ACC, college football, player availability, sports gambling, Jim Phillips, transparency, conference games, NFL-style reports, basketball, baseball

ACC Cracks Down on details leaks: Player Availability Reports to Become Mandatory

By David Hale
July 22, 2025, 11:04 AM ET

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is stepping up its efforts to curb the influence of sports gambling on its student-athletes, announcing Tuesday that it will mandate the release of public player availability reports for all conference games. This new policy, set to begin this football season, requires schools to submit NFL-style reports that categorize each player as “available,” “questionable,” “doubtful,” or “out.” These reports will be updated twice: once the day before a game and again two hours prior to kickoff.

ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips explained that the move is a direct response to increasing pressure on student-athletes from individuals seeking inside information,frequently enough linked to gambling activities. “There’s stresses on our student-athletes from individuals who are trying to garner information,” Phillips stated. “Sometimes it’s pretty innocent. They just want to know as they’re a big fan. but other times it leads into the gambling and sports wagering path.”

The transparency initiative will extend beyond the gridiron, with similar availability reports also becoming a requirement for men’s and women’s basketball and baseball.For these sports, teams will need to release their initial reports one day prior to the game, with a final update two hours before tip-off or first pitch.

To ensure compliance, the ACC will institute a system of fines for any school that fails to submit or mismanages the availability reports. While the specific penalty amounts are still under review, Phillips emphasized the conference’s commitment to enforcing the new protocol.He shared that the policy was communicated to coaches, who reportedly offered no objections.

“every coach has to do what they have to do to get their team ready, and there’s always gamesmanship,” Phillips acknowledged. “That’s been around 100 years and it’s going to continue. But [availability reporting] is the right thing to do.”

This proactive measure by the ACC follows a similar initiative by the Southeastern Conference (SEC),which began providing public player availability reports last season for its conference games across football,men’s and women’s basketball,and baseball. Notably, the ACC’s requirement will only apply to conference matchups, regardless of whether opposing conferences have similar policies for non-conference play.

Beyond the direct impact on game integrity, Phillips also touched upon the broader landscape of legalized gambling and its potential to benefit collegiate athletics. He expressed support for legislative proposals,such as one being considered in North Carolina,that would allocate tax revenue from gambling towards state institutions,including athletic departments. “Investment in higher education and athletics, I’m for,” said Phillips. “I commend the state of North Carolina for looking at it that way and trying to support these institutions. I hope more states will support their institutions like that.”

How might the ACC balance the need for transparency with player privacy concerns related to HIPAA regulations?

Understanding the new ACC Transparency Initiative

the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is set to revolutionize how fans and analysts approach college basketball and football scheduling with a new policy: the publication of game availability reports before the start of conference play. This proactive step aims to provide greater clarity regarding player eligibility,potential injuries,and other factors impacting team rosters.This shift addresses long-standing concerns about unpredictable lineups and last-minute changes that can substantially affect game outcomes and betting odds. The reports will cover both men’s and women’s basketball, as well as football, offering a extensive overview of team health.

What Will Thes Game Availability Reports Include?

These reports won’t be simple injury lists. The ACC is aiming for a detailed, yet compliant, level of disclosure. Expect the following facts to be included:

Injury Status: Categorized as Out, Doubtful, Questionable, or Available. Specific injury details will not be released due to HIPAA regulations and privacy concerns.

Suspensions: Any player suspensions, including the reason and length of the suspension (where permissible).

Eligibility Concerns: Updates on players facing potential NCAA eligibility issues.

COVID-19 Protocols: Information regarding players impacted by COVID-19 protocols, adhering to privacy guidelines.

Team Travel Status: Any significant travel disruptions impacting player availability.

The ACC will distribute these reports to media outlets, analysts, and potentially, through a dedicated section on the official ACC Network website. The timing of release is crucial – reports will be issued 72 hours prior to the start of conference play for each sport, and updated weekly thereafter.

why is the ACC Making This Change?

Several factors contributed to this decision. Increased fan demand for transparency is a major driver. the rise of sports betting has also put pressure on conferences to provide more accurate and timely information. Furthermore, coaches and athletic directors expressed a desire for a more level playing field, where opponents have a clearer understanding of the challenges they face.

Here’s a breakdown of the key motivations:

1. Enhanced Fan Experience: Providing fans with more information allows for a more informed and engaging viewing experience.
2. Fairer Competition: Knowing opponent availability allows for better game planning and strategic adjustments.
3. Integrity in Sports betting: Increased transparency helps maintain the integrity of sports betting markets.
4. Media & Analyst Needs: Reporters and analysts require accurate information to provide insightful coverage.

Impact on College Basketball & football Analysis

The availability reports will fundamentally change how games are analyzed. Previously, analysts relied heavily on pre-game press conferences, social media rumors, and educated guesses. Now, they’ll have a more concrete foundation for their predictions.

Advanced Analytics: Data scientists can incorporate availability data into their predictive models, improving accuracy.

Betting Strategies: Sports bettors can make more informed wagers,adjusting their strategies based on confirmed player availability.

Broadcast Coverage: Commentators will be able to provide more accurate and insightful commentary during games.

Power Rankings: conference power rankings will become more dynamic, reflecting real-time changes in team strength due to injuries and suspensions.

Potential Challenges and Considerations

While the initiative is largely positive, some challenges exist:

HIPAA Compliance: Balancing transparency with player privacy is paramount. The ACC must carefully navigate HIPAA regulations.

Information Accuracy: Ensuring the accuracy of the reports is critical. Misinformation could lead to significant consequences.

Competitive Disadvantage: Some coaches may argue that revealing too much information could give opponents an advantage.

* Report Interpretation: The language used in the reports (e.g., “Questionable”) can be open to interpretation, potentially leading to confusion.

Real-World Example: The Impact of Unexpected Absences

Consider the 2023-2024 Duke Men’s Basketball season.Key injuries