Supposedly, they think they can buy their way out for $30M per year for 10 years. Not sure how they think they'll be able to do that. The ACC owns their media rights, why would they give that up? Especially knowing ESPN is going to cut their contract if it doesn't include FSU. Of course, ESPN could make it happen, but why would they pay $70M for rights to FSU games when they already have them for $30M. What say the Pack on how this turns out? I think FSU is just stuck for several more years. But I could be wrong.
Looks like Florida St. wants out of the ACC.
- Thread starter patdog
- Start date
I think that all of these (FSU/Clemson/Miami/UNC) “wants out” stories are being floated by the institutions themselves as some sort of attempt to pressure ESPN and/or the conference into making concessions. As patdog pointed out, there’s absolutely zero reason for ESPN to negotiate themselves into paying $40 million more for something they already own.
They're mad they locked themselves into a bad deal, this is just them publicly pouting about it.
The deal they signed into makes them mad because it would be an even more lucrative deal if the Syracuses, Wake Forests, Boston College etc were not in the conference. Apparently FSU and Clemson believe those schools weigh them down money wise because they are not as valuable
The deal they signed into makes them mad because it would be an even more lucrative deal if the Syracuses, Wake Forests, Boston College etc were not in the conference. Apparently FSU and Clemson believe those schools weigh them down money wise because they are not as valuable
ESPN is already in enough trouble, this won't go well for them.
The Athletic has several articles on FSU's threats - and all say, unless they know something no one else does, they have ZERO leverage right now. Basically, they think they're Texas, but they're not - and the SEC nor any other conference has any interest in helping them pay their exit fee from the ACC (because they're not worth the investment). Those articles also imply Sankey and the SEC Presidents are pretty content, for the moment, with getting TX and OU on board and leaving things there for the time being. I would think UNC and UVa would make more sense, just to expand the geographic footprint (and upgrade the basketball numbers).
Someone give me an Executive Summary on exactly what this "Grant of Rights" means and why its such a sticking point. It seems like anything can be bought / negotiated out of for the right amount of money....
If FSU were to leave the ACC and join the SEC, the ACC would still own FSU's broadcasting rights and their games would be shown under the ACC TV contracts. ACC would be paid for this and FSU would not. Since FSU couldn't participate in the SEC's TV package, their revenue share from the SEC would be $0. As would their media share from the ACC, since they're no longer a member. Of course it could be bought out for the right amount of money. But there's no one I can see who's going to be willing (or able in FSU's case) to pay that money.
They just need to focus on what would make their brand very attractive 10 years from now - which is winning the ACC and making playoffs. Same for Clemson.
Sankey and the SEC would very much like the PAC-9 to somehow find a way to all stay together and put a halt to realignment until we get closer to the expiration of the ACC grant of rights.
This is probably right, but playing devil’s advocate….. SEC is sitting pretty. If PAC falls apart and Big 10 takes 2 or 4 of the Pac teams, if your sec you see your only rival take teams that aren’t transformational and a logistical nightmare. Positions you well when the press for UNC/UVA comes around and you present a contiguous conference of brands, etc.
Seems to just be their way of getting the word out that they are a hard “yes” vote for dissolution of the ACC.
Other members now know where they stand, and will act accordingly. Either issuing similar statements, or publicly backing the league.
Other members now know where they stand, and will act accordingly. Either issuing similar statements, or publicly backing the league.
Hopefully, they don't come to the SEC. I know UF and Auburn would object and not vote for it. We already have that state's flagship and majority of alums in the Gators. Just don't need the Seminoles. They might take a look at the Big10 or Big12.
This isn't 2013, that model is gone.
The Florida State name has cache. People will tune in and watch them. They are a slam dunk take for us, along with Clemson.
They'll never get 8 votes to dissolve the ACC, and it's not even clear that if they could that would solve their problem anyway. At best, they'd be in for years of crippling litigation to resolve the issue and maybe get their media rights back (or maybe not). No school can take that risk. UNC AD was pretty clear:
I see more FSU logos while traveling than I do Auburn logos. I’m not sure which has a bigger national brand but anecdotal evidence points to Florida State.
I've never seen one single FSU tag or sticker on a car in the Memphis area in the last 20 years. I've seen hundreds of Auburn plates and stickers. Not sure that's a scientific sample, but both of those schools are roughly the same distance from the Memphis metro area. I have seen a few plated/stickered U. of Miami cars though.
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Tom Mars thinks he sees a path. I think they probably have a few ways out but don’t have a landing spot yet. For the SEC to make 18 teams work, we’ll have to have 9 conference games. We’ve already seen that battle play out earlier this year. I think is State and the other likeminded schools holding it up.