Finding Florida State and Clemson A New Home

Have you ever sold your house with the assumption you’ll find a place to live after you’re kicked out? That’s kinda FSU’s and Clemson’s approach to conference realignment right now.

Leaving The ACC

It’s a foregone conclusion that Florida State and Clemson are leaving the ACC. There are open lawsuits between the teams and the conference. There are some disputed record requests, and a lot of slander is being thrown around between the 3 parties. When they actually get out (sometime between 2025 and 2027 seems reasonable), how much they have to pay (well over 200 million each), and where they are going (TBD) are all just “details” at this point.

But the “where are they going” detail is what I find most interesting. Florida State and Clemson believe they will get an invite from the B1G or SEC. But what if they don’t?

Why Not The SEC or B1G

The SEC is already in the states of South Carolina and Florida, so FSU and Clemson don’t add any new TV markets or recruiting territory. Most importantly, Clemson and FSU would each take up a piece of the pie of money that the current 16 teams split 16 ways. If the new schools don’t add enough value, then the conference won’t add them.

The B1G does have something to gain from adding schools in the south, but there is a different hangup. AAU membership. 17/18 B1G schools are in the Association of American Universities (Nebraska was kicked out of the AAU after they joined the B1G). It’s an exclusive group of schools that have high spending on research and high academic standards.

Florida State and Clemson are NOT AAU members, and it is reported that 11 B1G schools will not add a new member unless they are an AAU member (they would make an exception for Notre Dame).

So Where Then?

The Big 12 or a new ACC

Rumor has it that the Big 12 is not done expanding. They are in talks with multiple ACC schools including Florida State and Clemson. This is not the outcome Clemson and FSU want, but they may have to settle for the Big 12 if they don’t get either of their 1st two options.

A new ACC is also a possibility. Right now the ACC has 17 teams; which means they have to split the TV money 17 ways. If FSU and Clemson “leave” the ACC, they can just invite current ACC teams that they value and create a “new ACC.” A smaller ACC with the 8 best brands available will lead to more money per school than the 17-team bloated behemoth gives out right now.

And money is what this is all about. Florida State and Clemson just want more money.

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This article was written by Cole Tollison and edited by Hayden Breene