Updated 9:35 p.m.

Big East schools Syracuse and Pittsburgh have signaled their intentions to join the ACC as the conference’s 13th and 14th members.

A high-ranking ACC source said Saturday on condition of anonymity that both universities have sent letters of application to the ACC. The schools’ additions would have to be approved by nine of the 12 ACC presidents, and signs Saturday pointed toward both schools joining the conference.

N.C. State chancellor Randy Woodson said the ACC will hold a news conference Sunday or Monday. Woodson said the 12 ACC presidents are unified on expansion, but he wouldn’t say whether they have voted on Pittsburgh and Syracuse.

Mayor Charles Meeker made a bet involving beer, barbeque, ham, cheese and potatoes this afternoon with a man 29 years his junior.

And it was all in the name of civic pride.

Meeker and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl spoke today on a conference call and confirmed that a friendly wager between the two cities has been agreed to.

If the Penguins defeat the Hurricanes, Meeker, 58, will send 10 pounds of the The Pit’s chopped barbeque and a case of Big Boss beer to Ravenstahl, the 29-year-old mayor who was first elected in 2006 after his predecessor died in office.

Rumors that Meeker would also agree to change his name to Charles Malkin in the event the Penguins win turned out to be false.

If the Canes dump the Penguins, Ravenstahl will send Meeker five pounds of Isaly’s chipped chopped ham, three dozen pierogies, a case of Iron City beer and a defibulator. Okay, the last item isn't really part of the bet. But for those people worried about the rail-thin Meeker's heath should the Canes prevail, rest easy. Meeker promised to auction off this gut bomb or donate it to a food bank.

The Hurricanes and Penguins begin their best-of-seven series tonight in Pittsburgh. The winning mayor advances to the Stanley Cup Finals where he will be allowed to make another bet with a legendary pol or a former NBA great.

The two Democratic mayors traded some friendly banter this afternoon on their brief phone call.

Noting that the Steelers won the Super Bowl earlier this year, Meeker asked Ravenstahl how the Pittsburgh Pirates were doing and whether the city has any chance of corralling three major sports titles at once.

Ravenstahl said turning the moribund Pirates franchise around is a tall task.

“If you could help be get that done I’d be re-elected for life,” Ravenstahl said.

Ravenstahl undoubtedly has other things besides hockey on his mind these days. Pittsburgh holds its Democratic mayoral primary tomorrow, and two challengers are attempting to unseat Ravenstahl.

Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker said today he's ready to make a bet with Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl about the outcome of the Eastern Conference finals meeting between the Hurricanes and the Penguins.

"We're trying to get a bet going with the mayor of Pittsburgh," Meeker said. "We're going to try and do it on Monday."

As for what Meeker plans to offer should the Canes lose, think barbeque and beer.

"We're trying to clear it, but barbeque from The Pit and beer from Big Boss," Meeker said.

(UPDATE: The city announced today that Meeker will place the bet at 1:30 p.m. Monday and that he will wager 10 pounds of The Pit’s chopped barbecue and a case of Big Boss beer. No word on what brew. Mayor Ravenstahl will disclose his city’s offerings during Monday’s telephone conversation.)  

 In offering 'cue and beer Meeker is sticking to an approach that has been successful in the past.

During the Canes 2006 run to the Stanley Cup Meeker wagered three pounds of 'cue with Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown. Brown ended up sending Meeker three pounds of Buffalo wings.

Before the Stanley Cup finals against Edmonton, Meeker put up a case of Holly Springs-brewed Carolina Pale Ale. Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandell ended up sending Meeker a case of Canadian beer from the Maverick Brewery in Alberta.