Hill and not from unc graduation fireworks! The fireworks were early in the week. When at unc BOT meeting, several board members including the chair complained about athletic budget deficit. They called for an audit of athletic department and complained about lack of financial transparency from AD Bubba Cunningham. They summoned him to come back from Amelia Island to discuss these financial concerns in BOT's closed session today (Thursday 16th). Two board members including the chair were quoted in media Tuesday calling for UNC to leave ACC for a higher revenue conference! Presumably the BOT closed session with AD Cunningham would include discussions of this as well as budget deficit details. In the interim, a lawyer and dad of a unc student, filed a complaint in court citing NC public meetings law, which does not permit budget discussions to occur in closed sessions. Local judge agreed and issued injunction telling BOT they could not discuss athletic budgets or conference affiliation issues in closed session! So, during the routine open session today dealing with mundane consent items and introduction of new student member of the board and committee reports there sat AD Bubba Cunningham. Never even asked him a question! Chair opened meeting with carefully worded statement that board would not discuss athletic budget in closed session and never had planned to? Went on to explain NC law prohibited it and indicated what law allows to be discussed in closed session. These include personnel matters and attorney client privileged discussions. Clearly legal council wrote his statement or at minimum reviewed advised. So presumably they could have talked about AD'S performance or legal council's advice on ACC GOR? Appears they did not as athletics were not on closed session agenda. Bubba Cunningham left meeting before they went into closed session! Media narrative today is "UNC Board backs down." Interim UNC Chancellor made public statement supporting AD Cunningham today as well. Couple of side notes that add to this drama: UNC Interim Chancellor is financial guy, a Republican, and a Duke graduate. Also, two members of UNC system board of governors were present today at open session, chair acknowledged their presence. Do not think they were around for BOT meeting earlier in the week. The System BOG Has veto power over conference affiliation decisions of member NC schools BOTs. They would also have to approve any lawsuit by UNC against ACC and likely also hiring of outside legal counsel related to it. What does it all mean? Not sure but today there is alot more talk of a "reconstructed ACC" vice UNC leaving the ACC. ** Edited by vtox1 at 5/16/2024, 8:55:06 PM ** Edited by vtox1 at 5/16/2024, 9:06:20 PM ** Edited by vtox1 at 5/16/2024, 9:11:04 PM