With record television money, an expanded College Football Playoff, name, image and likeness, and all the money that's now seemingly coming out to collegiate sports, the Big Ten and SEC seem to be in really good shape. In fact, the two conferences are leading the charge in revenue, and some of the other conference members are a little green (if you will) with envy.
It's no secret that Florida State has been kicking the tires on getting out of the infamous "grant of rights" deal with the ACC to pursue landing in greener pastures, but if the Seminole brass is successful in leading the charge on it, there's no guarantee that the two big money conferences would even want to add FSU. In fact, according to a report from the Action Network's Brett McMurphy, it appears that neither conference is interested in adding a little Garnett and Gold to the mix if the ACC Conference were to survive.
Big Ten, SEC unlikely to add Florida State if it leaves ACC & ACC survives, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. Big Ten & SEC don’t want FSU because adding FSU doesn’t make financial sense, no desire to expand & “they’ve been a disruptive partner,” sources said https://t.co/YhOPDC3O1k
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 16, 2024
That has to be a bit of shot to the ego for Florida State fans and administrators, especially for a program that prides itself on being one of the blue bloods of the sport that many feel would be an attractive acquisition.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey addressed the question head-on during media days.
“We’re focused on our 16. Period,” Sankey said. “I'm not going to guess about what happens next. We can certainly remain at 16 for a long, long time and be incredibly successful.”
Several sources inside the Big Ten also moved away from enticing FSU to come on over and enjoy the party.
“There is no appetite among the presidents unless there is some catastrophic development with the ACC and it forces [the Big Ten] into a decision,” the source told Action Network.
“If the ACC blows up, who picks first [between the Big Ten and SEC]? Who picks second? If there is a need and desire to expand, you take inventory so your competitors don’t get it. But the presidents and chancellors are looking for stability. Despite what the social media geniuses are suggesting, no one — the leagues, the networks — is driving expansion.”
Now, all of that is fine and good, but as we've seen, if another Armageddon event were to hit the ACC, much like what we saw with the Pac-12, then you all bets are off and then it might be a sales pitch to see who would take a team like the Seminoles rather than letting them go to another conference and tilt the race for power.
As with anything, it'll never happen until it does. Right?
