The Florida State Seminoles may have their sights on the SEC if they can extricate themselves from their current ACC agreement. As FSU navigates a legal dispute with their current conference, the prospect of potential expansion looms large.
Florida’s Athletic Director, Scott Stricklin, offered his perspective on the potential inclusion of their in-state rival in the SEC, showing little objection to the idea. This stance sharply contrasts with that of a particular SEC rival.
College football rivalries run deep, especially in the Southeast, with many of these in-state matchups falling along conference lines. Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina each have rivals in the ACC, and with the league’s stability uncertain, some of these programs could become available in the near future.
Currently, the Atlantic Coast Conference finds itself embroiled in legal battles with Clemson and FSU, its top football revenue generators, as they seek ways to break free from a binding grant of rights agreement. This agreement stipulates that any revenue earned by members outside the ACC would still belong to the league, in addition to imposing a substantial conference exit fee.
While Clemson and FSU argue that the ACC’s policies hinder their financial prosperity, the SEC thrives, having recently secured a lucrative media rights deal with ABC and ESPN. This agreement ensures significant revenue for each member institution, regardless of on-field performance.
The potential addition of Florida State to the SEC appears promising. The Seminoles possess a strong brand and a history of success, coming off their most triumphant season in a decade. Moreover, their relationships with Florida and South Carolina, along with the possibility of regional rivalries with Georgia and Auburn, make them an attractive prospect for the conference.
In contrast to this openness, the rivalry perspective of Texas A&M stands out. The Aggies vehemently opposed the inclusion of Texas in the SEC, having left the Big XII to establish their own identity separate from their in-state counterparts.
Scott Stricklin’s indifference towards Florida State’s potential SEC membership presents a notable departure from Texas A&M’s stance, suggesting a less contentious approach from the Gators compared to their SEC counterparts.
