3 things to know about FAU's move to the American Athletic Conference

FAU football will have one more shot at another Conference USA championship in 2022.

The university and athletics program confirmed Friday that FAU will be moving to the American Athletic Conference (AAC) in July 2023.

FAU president John Kelly said the excitement level is at an all-time high and a bright future is ahead for the university.

"We are incredibly excited about our future in the American Athletic Conference," said FAU President John Kelly. "Florida Atlantic has gained national recognition for academic and athletic excellence, and membership in The American will help propel the university to the next level.

"We look forward to welcoming our new conference rivals and their fans to beautiful Boca Raton."

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FAU's chance to grow

While FAU has made a ton of memories in the Conference USA, if university officials and fans want to see the school grow, a move up was needed.

The chance to grow in the AAC has been documented well, especially recently with programs like the University of Houston, Cincinnati, and UCF. Those three schools are leaving for the Big 12 in summer 2023.

Within the AAC, UCF has grown to be one of the biggest athletic programs in Florida even with powerhouses like Miami, Florida, and Florida State still going strong.

If FAU someday wants to be named along those schools, it isn’t shocking news. Especially in the football sense, Cincinnati achieved enormous strides by cracking the top four and playing in the College Football Playoff.

With those three universities leaving, FAU has a chance to make a name and achieve that brighter future according to athletic director Brian White.

"Florida Atlantic Athletics has an extremely bright future," White said. "Today, we have more clarity on that future, which is exciting to everyone associated with the Owls. We look forward to our final year in Conference USA, while also continuing our diligent work in preparation to join The American."

FAU on ESPN

In 2019, the AAC signed a 12-year deal with ESPN where “with the new agreement, The American will have a stronger and more extensive presence on ESPN’s primary TV networks – ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU.”

In Conference USA, FAU would be playing on ESPN+, Stadium, and sometimes on Facebook. This is a massive upgrade and the university's press release emphasized this as a motivating factor.

"The exposure afforded the university through athletics will showcase the university on a national stage,” per the press release. “The American's partnership with ESPN's family of networks includes 40 conference-controlled football games and 60 conference-controlled men's basketball games airing on ESPN linear outlets per year.”

What's Next

The exit fee to Conference USA is $3 million.

The dominos started to fall for Conference USA in October 2021 when White sent a straight to the point application to AAC commissioner Mike Aresco.

“Please consider this email as Florida Atlantic University's application for membership into the American Athletic Conference,” White said in an email, per public records. “We believe that we would be an excellent fit both academically and athletically. Thank you.”

As the move starts, the men's soccer and men's and women's swimming and diving teams will serve as affiliate members of The American this fall.

The football team will still focus on their last year in Conference USA as the season opens at home against Charlotte on Aug. 27.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: FAU athletics confirms move to American Athletics Conference