FSU’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees is ready to move the school to a street where the business is better. Even if nobody’s invited it.
Haggard confirmed that as far as he knows there has been no contact between FSU and the Big 12 regarding possible expansion. However, he makes it very clear that he and the Board of Trustees would be more than open to exploring the possibility if it would mean additional revenue to the school.
“How do you not look into that option,” asked Haggard. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees I can say that unanimously we would be in favor of seeing what the Big 12 might have to offer. We have to do what is in Florida State’s best interest.”
Whatever that is. See, what he says he’s upset about is the new conference TV deal (“It’s mind-boggling and shocking,” said Haggard. “How can the ACC give up third tier rights for football but keep them for basketball?”), but Year2 notes that the previous TV deal worked in the same way.
I suspect the real problem is that the days of FSU dominating the conference in football have long passed (the Seminoles haven’t won a conference title in six seasons), and with that gone, the satisfaction in being a proud member of the ACC has faded. All that’s left now is good old-fashioned nouveau riche frustration – “It continues the perception that the ACC favors the North Carolina schools”… jeez, dude, you just noticed that? And if you’re getting a little longer in the tooth and aren’t as special as you used to be, you might as well go where you think the johns pay better.
That’s not even Haggard’s best line.
Of the few who still support FSU staying in the ACC, most cite the number of well-regarded academic institutions within the conference. However, Haggard scoffed at the idea that the ACC somehow helps FSU’s academic reputation.
“No FSU graduate puts on his resume or interviews for a job saying they are in the same conference as Duke and Virginia,” he said. “Conference affiliation really has no impact on academics.” [Emphasis added.]
Sucks to be you, FSU. Although you have to be impressed with his honesty.
Obviously, this is a very early warning shot. The school hasn’t talked to a conference. Haggard hasn’t even discussed his hurt fee-fees with school officials. But it’s hard to see how this won’t get some traction. What remains to be seen is whether FSU is leading a rush to the exits by the rest of the conference.
What you have to wonder is if there will be room in college football in a few more years for more than four major conferences. And seeing as three of those – Big Ten, SEC and Pac-12 – are locks for survival, this has all the makings of a fight for survival between the ACC and Big 12 if things turn ugly. That sounds fine with Andy Haggard. He’s ready to throw himself at somebody.
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UPDATE: “Listen, we’ve been a year away from the Seminoles’ return to dominance for eleven years now.”
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UPDATE #2: Hey, guess who’s got conference meetings scheduled to start today?
Get The Picture 
Hello Clemson, this is the SEC here…
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That’s so rich. If the ACC had to give up third tier football rghts, it’s because third tier ACC football draws family and friends, and that’s the TV audience. FSU can bolt for a few extra bucks a year, but the big 12 is nothing but Texas and its bitches. Thanks to FSU, Georgia doesn’t have to feel guilty about being the best recruiting/most under achieving football team in the country. The bloom just ain’t on the Tallahasee rose anymore.
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And, when the SEC and ACC were both courting FSU back in 90, FSU chose the ACC because of its ‘superior academics.’ I guess academics are great, but hey, let’s not get carried away here!
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Forget banning CFB. We need to ban BOTs.
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FSU had zero choice in the matter. They were never received an invite from the SEC. The SEC as Florida, Tennessee and Alabama in the 90’s. No way those 3 were going to make room for FSU. Bobby Bowden has said publicly that his choice was the SEC over the ACC. As for today, given that the SEC has expanded their TV market FSU and Clemson appear to be excellent options.
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OK Skeptic, but I clearly remember the story about FSU joining the ACC; it contained enthusiastic FSU quotes about the ACC’s academics. I remember it well because I thought it was spin at the time. I don’t know if we can tell from our perspective, but FSU may have an in-state inferiority complex like N.C. State or Auburn.
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Oh, I do not doubt the academic spin. As for an inferiority, it seems possible. I would gladly welcome the to the SEC with whatever baggage the carry.
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This article sure makes it sound like FSU did get an invite from the SEC.
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If FSU got an offer to join the SEC and passed on it to join the ACC, without a doubt that would be the biggest f#ckup in the history of collegiate athletics administration.
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At the time, it made more sense. The ACC had a better revenue distribution format than did the SEC, if you were a top tier team as FSU was. Also, it was a major conference which FSU would have an easier time dominating (which it did, as it didn’t lose a conference game until 1995) which in turn gave it a better shot at MNCs.
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This on the heels of Florida cancelling its computer sciences department.
Nice to know Florida has such bright visionaries running its university system. If Haggard thinks the ACC tilts in favor of North Carolina schools, he might want to talk to Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado and Texas AM about Texas. Even Oklahoma had a foot out the door. Maybe Texas and FSU can start a two-team conference based on tier 3 revenue. I hear LHN is all the rage with the 9 viewers who can actually access it.
I thought major flagship universities were research engines. I guess Haggard thinks Florida just needs to run diploma mills. Earth to Haggard: that’s what Central Florida is for. You might want to aim higher with FSU and Florida. Just a thought.
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They lost the Computer Science/IT training due to state budget cuts, with monies going to start up another U in Tampa. I thought things got screwed up pretty much in Georgia politics, but if you think things can’t get worse by electing a dumber governor, just go live in a Floridian’s shoes. It must be horrible to be looking at a dumbed down education system for the coming years that puts your children lower on the competitive totem pole when compared to the adjoining states.
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I know the SEC triumverate of Georgia, Florida and South Carolina have blocked offering the rival schools entry into the SEC. And as long as Clemson and FSU only have the ACC option, that works well. But if the Big 12 comes a courting, I wonder what the SEC reaction will be. Something tells me that Mike Slive and company are not too keen on the Big 12 Flag being planted smack in the middle of SEC territory. And a quick addition of these two teams, eases the awkwardness of Mizzou in the east. Of course, Spurrier would probably expect that the games against Clemson and FSU not to count. 😉
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The state of Florida is a higher ed train wreck when it comes to governance.
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You’re right Senator. One can at very least appreciate his honesty. No matter what side of the argument you sit on. Just because a prior contract gives up tier rights does not necessarily mean he should be content with the status-quot. Seems to me he looks at the situation as objectively as possible in regards on how to better his university.
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All it would take for FSU to be back on top is one undefeated season. Look at their schedule and tell me with a straight face that the ‘Noles can’t do that.
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