AAC Sparks Controversy with 2025 Football Overhaul: Prime-Time Showdowns and New TV Contracts Stir Fan Frenzy

The American Athletic Conference (AAC) is diving headfirst into a bold new era for college football in 2025, and not everyone is on board. With a sweeping overhaul of its scheduling philosophy, an aggressive push into national television, and a string of high-profile prime-time matchups, the AAC has positioned itself at the center of the college football conversation — and controversy.

In an ambitious bid to increase visibility and competitiveness, the conference announced a series of groundbreaking changes earlier this month. Chief among them: a heavy emphasis on Thursday and Friday night games, exclusive TV broadcast partnerships, and a marquee lineup of prime-time matchups meant to captivate fans and lure new viewers to the AAC brand.

But while conference officials are hailing the changes as a transformative step forward, the reaction from fans and media alike has been anything but unanimous.

Perhaps the most controversial feature of the AAC’s 2025 schedule is the prominence of weeknight games. In a move designed to avoid Saturday clashes with the SEC, Big Ten, and other power conferences, the AAC will now feature several of its biggest showdowns on Thursdays and Fridays — including traditional rivalry games and divisional clashes with championship implications.

But for many loyal supporters, especially students and alumni, the change feels like a slap in the face. Fans from schools like Memphis, East Carolina, and UTSA have voiced frustration on social media, arguing that moving games to weeknights makes in-person attendance difficult and disrupts campus traditions.

Alongside the scheduling shakeup comes a new broadcast agreement that gives the AAC a stronger presence on national networks. Games will now air on ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and select matchups will even land on primetime slots for ABC and NBC — a major step up for a conference that has long fought for respect on the national stage.

According to the AAC’s official release, the new media deal is worth an estimated $500 million over the next seven years, a financial windfall that promises improved facilities, higher coaching salaries, and more lucrative recruiting budgets.

Critics argue that the AAC may be sacrificing the soul of its football culture for fleeting television fame. Fans have accused the conference of chasing ratings at the expense of long-standing traditions and student accessibility.

The annual “Battle for the Bell” between Southern Miss and Tulane — historically played on Saturday afternoons in late October — has been moved to a Friday night in mid-September under the new plan. Similarly, the bitter UAB-Memphis grudge match, a fan favorite known for rowdy crowds and intense finishes, will now air on national television on a Thursday evening.

Coaches have offered mixed reviews of the changes. Some, like FAU’s Tom Herman, have embraced the shift, saying the national spotlight will help boost recruiting. Others, however, have lamented the logistical headaches of preparing for short-week games and managing travel schedules for student-athletes.

There’s no doubt the AAC is taking a gamble. By stepping boldly into the television spotlight and reshuffling the traditional college football calendar, it hopes to carve out a larger share of the national stage in an era of growing consolidation and media-driven influence.

But the backlash suggests that the conference will need to carefully manage its messaging moving forward. Already, some university officials have reportedly asked for flexibility in future scheduling cycles, citing concerns from boosters and local businesses that depend on Saturday game-day traffic.

“This is about the future,” Aresco said. “It’s about proving that the AAC belongs in the conversation with the top conferences in college football. And sometimes that means making bold decisions.”