ACC commissioner John Swofford will retire following the 2020-21 athletic year, the conference confirmed on Thursday.
Swofford, 71, is the longest-tenured commissioner in ACC history. He took over as commissioner in 1997, expanding the ACC from nine teams to 15 teams in his tenure.
“It has been a privilege to be a part of the ACC for over five decades and my respect and appreciation for those associated with the league throughout its history is immeasurable,” Swofford said in a statement. “Having been an ACC student-athlete, athletics director and commissioner has been an absolute honor.