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S
Stech OP
Aug 20, 2023 at 02:30 PM ET
FSU could announce leaving ACC in days or weeks according to SI article.
It would not be shocking according to an FSU insider.

72 Replies

T
Truthahn
I want to trick or treat in Tallahasse dressed as the GOR this year.
M
marcbvtgm
Or maybe years?
A
ancient alien 2018
"An fsu insider" I'll donate my Unicorn and Rainbow making machine to VT
when they leave "soon".
2
2hhoop3
Is that one of.....
the same insiders that predicted on or before 8/15/23? So far FSU insiders have a fairly putrid batting average, a lot like their football team since 2014, with the exception of last year.
H
HOO86
Like Bubba Cunningham said.
Either be a good partner or pay the hundreds of millions and leave. Whining to SEC media has little sympathy and will only diminish support. Florida blocks the SEC, and Fox can't get FSU home games for 13 years. Do they plan to not play home games in any sport?
Atlee Hokie Atlee Hokie
Florida used to block F$U, but now?
Certainly aTm couldn't block UTex.
M
Mercury
BINGO any dont more ACC fans/institutions should just say the same
Also, anytime they visit you, keep reminding the FSU staff coaches the same thing..... make this PURE TRANSACTIONAL.
M
Millpoint
Just go back to the early Bowden years
And play all games on the road. Seriously, I agree, either get out or shut up.
B
BAMRising
In theory, they could play neutral site games down in Tampa.
I wonder if that approach offers a way to circumvent the gor clause? ** Edited by BAMRising at 8/20/2023, 8:41:29 PM
mrcaniac mrcaniac
No they cannot
Each school must designate a "home stadium" where they MUST play 50% of their games. They may designate 1 neutral game per season against their home game allotment. So, either they designate Tampa as their home stadium, or they designate Doak as their home stadium. Either way, the ACC keeps the rights to the games.
3
33laszlo99
Also, NCAA demands five home games to remain Div I (against D1's)
B
BAMRising
Heck I have no idea, just spitballingbut a couple things:
1. Schools currently play unbalanced home/away schedules so not sure how the 50% rule applies there since it already happens. 2. Is the 50% rule an ACC rule? If so, it would become null and void the day they leave the conference, right?
Atlee Hokie Atlee Hokie
Would be a possible avenue, I guess. However, ...
... if F$U were to try to do that, I'm sure the ACC, and maybe ESPN would sue. Would the team playing F$U be designated as the home team? If that were to happen, what about games against ACC teams, If they were designated as the home team, the games would still belong to ACC/ESPN.
B
BAMRising
What could they sue for? Scheduling neutral site games?
Also, ACC games wouldn't exist once they leave the league. So if I'm FSU, here's what I'd think about: 1. Cupcakes which will not get good ratings are home games. 2. All competive made-for-tv games become neutral site games played down in Tampa. FSU could even schedule neutral-and-neutral games w UCF and USF and play them there in Tampa and/or Orlando. 3. The rest are away games which the ACC won't own GOR over anyways. I think. ** Edited by BAMRising at 8/20/2023, 10:23:15 PM
Atlee Hokie Atlee Hokie
Isn't 1 team or the other designated the home team at neutral site games?
Are you saying once F$U walks in say 2025, they will not play any ACC schools, including a rivalry game with Miami? If that happened, how would F$U replace all 8 ACC schools on it's dance card in such short order? What would ACC sue $U about? Conspiracy to cheat ACC out of multiple millions of $$$, by not playing any games at Doak-Walker.
R
RJHokie
I believe the ACC has a claim on any and all TV revenue
attributable to (that would be paid from any source) FSU whether they are independent or in another conference. Guarantees for neutral site games usually have a TV component built into them, so that probably would have to be paid to the ACC as I see it. Away games played at another school’s stadium/site might be a different animal though. Can’t see them playing as an independent for 10-13 years. ** Edited by RJHokie at 8/20/2023, 10:56:53 PM
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2hhoop3
They would sue for......
the GOR value represented by the greater of their value to the existing ACC/ESPN contract or the amount of the distribution from their new conference landing spot.
3
33laszlo99
The change in value of the media contract is accounted for in the exit fees
which represents liquidated damages. We all got a crash course on liquidated damages during the Maryland departure. The value of the media rights granted by the GoR is anybody's guess. Money is deliberately not specified in the GoR. Using media payouts to value the rights has risks for both sides. Message board common practice is to multiply media payout by remaining years on the GoR. I think that is nice and easy, but probably wrong. That's where a court will be useful.
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2hhoop3
As you have been told repeatedly......
your understanding of the exit fees as liquidated damages is incorrect. Your understanding of the GOR is shaky as well. The Maryland situation has a variety of differences so any crash course you think you got likely does not apply. You are right that money was not specified because of the changing nature of the rights calculation. The GOR was also written to situate any challenge in Delaware as well. The valid point you make is that a court will likely be necessary to sort it out. Absent a full conference dissolution, all leagues will defend their GOR against single or a smaller number of defectors. More importantly, it is not likely that either the SEC or BIG will offer a spot until the amount and/or period of potential uncertainty is substantially reduced. Nothing has changed, other than the deadline sliding by a year, and you and others have likely just taken the SI clickbait and/or planted propaganda. ** Edited by 2hhoop3 at 8/21/2023, 10:16:36 AM
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33laszlo99
Just had a look at the conference manual. Withdrawal payment is liquidated
damages for real.
2
2hhoop3
See below......
the distinction is the nature of what they are for.
3
33laszlo99
Not a plant. I know I take the cynical view of ACC realignment. That
position is much less likely to settle on a follower of an ACC program. I am fascinated by the subject of conference realignment and my view is tilted by the flow of money. I see this conference as vulnerable because many members are seeking more money, and those with more money covet some ACC properties. I also see another pressure point that could come bear from the CBP committee. The conference has fortified itself, primarily, with a long term GoR. Will it hold? It might, but I think it will be tested. BTW I see my own SEC as somewhat vulnerable too. But not because of departures, because of B1G expansion and B1G media advantages. Why is the exit fee not liquidated damages?
2
2hhoop3
Just clarify one more thing.....
I was not saying you were a plant. I was saying the SI piece referenced was click bait or propaganda planted for someone's agenda. I only consider there to be one obvious troll on this board and it is certainly not you.
3
33laszlo99
Thank you, I come in peace... along with pessimism.
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2hhoop3
It appears.....
I spoke too soon. Seems we now have two trolls as opposed to one, hopefully this is not an expanding infestation to what has been a good board. Your pessimism and cynicism is not a problem and maybe even warranted in certain areas.
2
2hhoop3
The exit fee is not.........
liquidated damages tied to the rights. It is the agreed upon amount for impact to conference operations. It was agreed upon by ALL conference members which is different than the Maryland situation where Maryland had originally voted against the fee and used that vote, along with a couple of other procedural mistakes to ultimately get a lower amount. The GOR is an entirely separate matter than the exit fee, specified as such and signed/agreed to by all parties. It had two purposes when conceived, (1) to promote long term commitment to the conference and added stability and (2) to stabilize the long term flow of media revenue and prevent major fluctuations due to conference defections. It may eventually get litigated, however, should it hold the ACC together until 2030 or beyond it will likely be known as one of the best poison pills ever designed. The Big 12 as the originator of GORs did a thorough job of designing the contract. The ACC by lengthening it from the normal 5 to 7 year term to 20 years made it even more useful. It is likely none of the ACC guys, including FSU, really thought that long on the implications. FSU particularly wanted the network and ALL were willing signers to the GOR. I think the concept floated alleging some fraud is a lame excuse for failure to do their job, perform appropriate due diligence, and give proper consideration to all the potential implications associated with the long term nature of the contract. Safe to say all schools will think longer and harder about that in the future. I do not see the CBP(CFP?) as a pressure point unless that is code for ESPN and/or FOX. Ultimately, I think this gets sorted out through the wishes of whatever TV decides to make happen. I see very little vulnerability to the SEC because they WIN and until the BIG can WIN more than once a blue moon I doubt expansion or media advantages tip the scale. Additionally, I doubt talent really craves November trips to the garden spots of the upper midwest.
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33laszlo99
The distinction between withdrawal from the conference and the matter of
the GoR is exactly the point I have been making. The exit fee ends the argument about leaving. Now FSU must find a way to recover their media rights. The schools nor the conference cannot seek further damages for the departure. I don't give a huge amount of credence to the CFP idea that was suggested on Flugaur's show. But here's what was offered: Assuming The PAC 4 melt into The MWC or otherwise vacate their P5 position, the playoff members are no longer 5 "G5" (Group of Five), and 5 "P5" (Power Five). The B1G and SEC may try to reconfigure the roster as: 5 "G5", 2 "P2" (ACC & Big 12), and 2 other (S2? Super 2). The motive for this was not to harm The ACC or Big12, but to lean on Notre Dame to attach to a S2. But the effect would be to harm ACC/Big12 anyway. There would be three payout tiers rather than two. The G5's would vote for this if they got a bigger slice at the expense of the P2.
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2hhoop3
The distinction is......
out but, not done as far as financial implications. It is that uncertainty that continues to impact their departure and, more relevant plans, where they might land in the future. FSU would be the divorced woman that some guy(SEC, BIG) might consider getting involved with were it not for the 3 kids and lawsuit hang over her head. Baggage that has the real possibility for the juice to not be worth the squeeze. If I was the BIG or the SEC I like Clemson for the manner in which they have gone about their business and FSU is the loudmouth, bat**** crazy chick I wouldn't let in the door. ** Edited by 2hhoop3 at 8/21/2023, 1:08:17 PM
3
33laszlo99
You've met my ex?
2
2hhoop3
My description....
likely applies to exes of both genders, however, with their whining characterizing FSU as a chick seemed appropriate. ;-)
R
RJHokie
Couldn’t Fox televise the FSU home games and pay the money
to the ACC/ESPN?
MrBayAreaHokie MrBayAreaHokie
seems so unlikely to me
the ACC controls the distrubtion of money to the school, from the tv contracts, right? So they won't pay FSU and if FSU is in another conference, the ACC will ask that conference for the FSU $$$. What conference would take FSU with all that drama? I say no one.
M
Mercury
Exactly once the memo is delivered all funding to fsu stops
Like md all money owed them go to escrot. I think fsu will just walk out and basically see you in court. They dont think acc has the guts to lawyer up. But acc advises all networks and potential destinations that the acc owes all fsu rights amd place forward all monies to rhe acc until 2035
R
RJHokie
I believe Flunky State is finding that to be the case.
FSU has a big mouth like some national scene politicians…….the more they complain the worse it gets.
B
Big12 guy
The AAC?
Old Line Hokie Old Line Hokie
I guess FSU has $300-$400+ million to throw away if this is true.
Exit fee and ACC rights to all their home games through 2036 will be costly. This exit plan would make more sense in 2030-2032. I guess they're expecting to make $80-$100 million a year in the P-2? It seems like they will have a tough time financially for at least 5-6 years unless some wealthy donors help pay some of it off. Losing FSU will weaken the ACC but I'm growing tired of all their belly aching.
Atlee Hokie Atlee Hokie
But at least for awhile, all ACC schools, particularly VT (since I'm ...
... a Hokie) would have one less top team (at least F$U thinks so) to keep us out of the automatic spot in the playoffs.
H
Hokie12thman
I think they will have the money but I think at a min the ACC
and especially VT need to be ready for the departure whether it’s 2025, 2036 or somewhere in between. I just think FSU and others are gone.
M
Mercury
Key point acc dont have to negotiate
Got a signed comtract till 2035. Fsu cant just buy themselves away - fsu will have to play nice
3
33laszlo99
I agree. ACC schools should be thinking short-term planning.
B
Big12 guy
Take the money if that is the case.
VTHokieCub VTHokieCub
I kind of hope they just go the eff away at this point.
B
Big12 guy
I hope they have an SDSU moment, and come back begging.
** Edited by Big12 guy at 8/20/2023, 7:42:34 PM
HokieAl HokieAl
FSU should just say now that they are leaving the ACC in 2033
Go ahead and get the invite now for the next conference and join in ten years. Would make for an interesting decade of games and anticipation.
Maroon Baboon Maroon Baboon
💰 How about an auction? Buy the Noles now, and get them in 2036! 💵
Then, their future conference can just subsidize them in ACC play until 2036. In exchange, FSU will play all of its non-conference games against the bid-winning conference and wear a special patch on their uniform that says "Future *enter conference name here* Member" They can auction themselves off on live TV on the ACC Network (HUGE RATINGS). B1G vs. SEC. And invite a Saudi prince and Russian oligarch to bid at the event just to make things interesting. ACC gets a 10% auctioneer stipend. Winner takes it all. The future conference gets their man. FSU gets financial stability. And then can concentrate on their normal job of finishing 7-5 and losing to Wake. The ACC gets rid of the whining and maintains its TV contract. I'd watch. ** Edited by Maroon Baboon at 8/20/2023, 7:39:04 PM
H
HokiePail
Yep, they ve been advantaged in the Acc and do nothing. Lack of money...
had nothing to do with it.
W
WarHog38
I Think it Destabilizes the Program From the Inside
I think most football programs except maybe Alabama. The athletes set their inner goals on a conference championship each year. That is an inherent problem for an Independent and Notre Dame has not really been a powerhouse football program since the Holtz era. All Notre Dame can really shoot for is a Natty each year. When a school declares an intent to leave a conference. I think the young athletes mentally do the same. They are ready to just get out of Dodge. They hear the equivalent of get lost from rival fans at all conference away games. Motivation is badly damaged. I saw that with Arkansas having abysmal teams the last several years in the SWC. Lincoln Riley did leave but you saw Oklahoma fall back the last several seasons. The SEC move did not inspire the Longhorns into being a lot better. I just think conference moves destabilize a program. Not to be rather needlessly extended.
W
WarHog38
I Don't Think Dissolving the ACC is a Realistic Option
That just leaves litigating that GOR. When FSU announces an intention to leave the ACC. Those lawsuits will soon be filed. What P2 conference would take FSU in the wake of those lawsuits being filed with no end in sight? The ACC still having the legal rights to media income from the upcoming FSU football games. I know the SEC would never agree to that. Would the B1G agree to that to prevent FSU from doing just as Texas & Oklahoma several years ago did by joining the SEC? Would ESPN ever allow Fox to get FSU football telecast? Has ESPN secretly made arrangements with FSU to allow them to enter the SEC with just ACC exit penalties? I just don't see FSU litigating that GOR. Too much is on the line for a possibly very extended court battle. FSU needs to have some assurances that they can avoid those court battles to ever make that move. Do they have those assurances or Is this just click-bait?
H
HOO86
Don't see ESPN paying the SEC for FSU.
ESPN could pay the ACC for FSU much easier.
3
33laszlo99
What lawsuits?
W
WarHog38
If FSU Announces a Departure. You Think the ACC Will Never File One?
** Edited by WarHog38 at 8/20/2023, 6:40:45 PM
3
33laszlo99
The By-Laws describe the legal process to withdraw from The ACC. If FSU
follows that process and pays the exit fee, where's the problem?
W
WarHog38
The Problem Will Be at the Next ACC Conference yearly Revenue Dispersal
FSU will get no money. The ACC will legally accomplish that through the GOR. I guess I do stand corrected. FSU will file the lawsuit against the ACC. The only way to avoid that lawsuit is for FSU to forego any rights to media payouts until 2036. What conference will accept FSU under that condition? I guess you see FSU being a broke Independent until 2036. ** Edited by WarHog38 at 8/20/2023, 7:27:16 PM
3
33laszlo99
I have no idea what FSU's plan is. But I think they are serious when they
claim that they are leaving early. The withdrawal from the conference is simple (the exit fee notwithstanding). You are correct that the fight over the GoR will be the real issue. I think FSU would have withdrawn already if they had a clear path to a new conference. They will not necessarily wait until next August 15 to make their move. Litigating the GoR will require time as well as money. They will act as soon as they get a signal from The SEC or B1G (or possibly the playoff committee). FSU may have company on this journey. The Mag7 are also looking for escape and The ACC and Big 12 may be concerned about maintaining equal playoff payouts with the The SEC and B1G. The CFP committee has already made alterations to the playoff format and payouts. The recent demise of The PAC would give them reason to revisit both. I think this is the cause of panic being exhibited by SMU and The PAC 4. Much could be at stake. And the playoffs beyond 2026 are completely up for grabs.
W
WarHog38
I Think They Are Serious as Well
Not just blow-offs in those Links above. You keep hearing this all over the internet. It is just like the PAC Four-Corners to Big 12 & Oregon & Washington to the B1G constant racket. All that smoke.There is soon to be a fire. I think you can boil this all down to a recruiting issue. Football recruiting is a life's blood issue to college football just like oxygen to a human being. How many single individual athletes are legends within these major college athletic programs? Athletes that transcended greatness to be the definition of winning & losing on the football field for many a Saturday game. I think the FSU's can sense impending big changes in college football. Big changes separating major colleges by conference affiliation. It boils down to money and that resulting recruiting issue. FSU and probably other ACC programs just want to have that right conference affiliation as soon as possible. 2036 is definitely way to late.
M
Marooned
Getting REAL tired of this. How about this…
ACC requires a non-binding statement from all members stating that they are supportive of the league as currently configured and are not actively seeking to leave before the GOR expires. Any school not willing to sign this statement gets a financial penalty in their payout based upon the premise that they are continuing to destabilize the conference causing it to be less appealing for the look in window. The benefit of the look in would accrue to all the signing members only. It’s time the conference started acting like the conference and not the punching bag.
T
Truthahn
Fine them until they change their "problematic" nickname. Play hardball.
Gin up some protests at their games to make them look bad. The B10 will love that.
H
HokiePail
Has to pay something immediately would be nice
W
WBGV
Is Florida State preparing to leave ACC in 2025? | College Football Enquire
“Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wetzel and Ross Dellenger, and Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde talk Florida State's potential departure from the ACC and what the future might hold for them on the College Football Enquirer.” Video: 3 minutes “PAT FORDE: I think everyone remains on Seminole watch in the ACC, that while this deadline has passed and 2024 will apparently happen with Florida State still a member of the league, there are people saying they could expect any minute, really any day, for Florida State to issue formal notice and just take a longer runway to 2025 to get out of the league.” . . . . . “ROSS DELLENGER: Honestly, up until like a day ago, when people started writing about it, it never even dawned on me that they would do it this year. I always thought it would be for next year. It'd be for the '25 season, at earliest, not the '24.”
H
HokiePail
Yeah, they re going to the CAA.
M
Marooned
Probably just talk to gin up support within the M7 for blocking
expansion. Makes no sense for for this to leak out otherwise.
Maroon Baboon Maroon Baboon
I can't.
E
EDGEMAN
They must have a huge nest egg to take that kind of financial hit.
I don't see 7 others going with them this year.
T
Truthahn
Who would trust them now? I hope not us.
R
RJHokie
Don’t believe they do.
Sounds like just posturing and trying to get the other 7 to join in.
2
2hhoop3
What in that article.......
is new or any different than Nole sites have been saying since last February, aside from the date being moved back a year? Everybody knows they are unhappy, everybody knows they are looking for a way out and everybody knows at present they have no plan and more important they have no firm offers for a landing spot. ** Edited by 2hhoop3 at 8/20/2023, 3:00:10 PM
V
VTBoar
Agree. Implies FSU is basically saying, "We don't know where we are going
or how we are going to get there, but we're going to get to where we are heading, wherever that may be."
sacramento hokie sacramento hokie
A lot of this is a game of chicken so the Noles can negotiate a better pay
Out from the ACC based on performance… I am not sure if they are still stuck in the Bobby Bowden mindset or whatever… but it ain’t the 20 th century anymore and they aren’t that good!!! Yes a winning season last year but they haven’t been relevant since Jimbo….
Maroon Baboon Maroon Baboon
At this point they're just defecating on their own brand.
It's sad, really. Meanwhile, they are voting against ways to bring more money into the conference. Yeah, I know it's not nearly the windfall that they are looking for. But still.
2
2hhoop3
The only substantive change.....
in the last couple of weeks is the exit deadline passed moving it one year further in the future. This current thread is nothing more than overreaction to SI clickbait.
V
Vippie1
Not only that they are showing what kind of a partner they will be
for the B1G or SEC. Those conferences value harmony.(or at least loyalty) I know at the end of the day money rules....but the public way in which FSU is crapping all over its own family even when their underachieving has been as a big of a reason for the conference's situation as any, isn't unnoticed by its preferred landing spots.
B
Big12 guy
One of your own is trash talking the conference. SMH Wouldn't it be
funny if it's another SDSU mover, and they come crawling back. ** Edited by Big12 guy at 8/20/2023, 4:17:37 PM