Keep an eye on this space
Mediation over exit money would imply FSU has an offer from SEC or BIG, and is prepared to follow up on it. Because no way Big 12 presidents vote to give FSU money to get them “off the hook” with their own league and further their rep as a bad conference member. They comin’ as just a regular new member like say, Arizona State? mmmm…believe it when i see it. Something else going on here…SEC or BIG are very quietly preparing to make a move, and do opposite of what all their public vibes imply.
Mediation is required of almost all court cases so this doesn’t mean anything.
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Rumors of XII death were greatly exaggerated…
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Mediation in this case means a settlement or compromise between the 2 parties. That implies the ACC is going to have a dollar figure they want, to allow FSU to leave.
For many trial courts, mediation is a required prerequisite before trial.
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I don’t think the ACC wants to take this to trial. Unless they are 100% certain they can win, they risk the chance of the entire conference falling apart with nothing to show for.
It’s much better for the ACC to let that exit fee drop down to $100-200 million from the $500 Million FSU would have to pay to exit today.
If they go to trial and lose, there’s no exit fee. There’s probably no exit fee for any school. That’s the end for the conference.
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Would ESPN give the ACC $60M more a year to be split between FSU and Clemson? This would be the least expensive route for ESPN.
ESPN must elect by next February to opt in for another nine years. The ACC and ESPN are in active negotiations over the extension, conversations that Phillips has described as “positive and productive.”
Could the network increase the value of the deal?
“We’re talking about that,” Phillips said.
This is the same commissioner that said the “look-in” was merely that, a look-in at the media deal to see if the revenue structure should be changed.
It turns out that this look in was indeed an actual clause for ESPN to have the choice but not the obligation to extend the ACC’s media deal through 2036.
They aren’t discussing anything. ESPN at this very moment has the opportunity to lock FSU for another 10 years for cheap. They have yet to do that. Why would ESPN agree to pay the ACC anymore than what they make now, especially if FSU is looking to make the same amount of money as Alabama.
I’m so past “don’t care” regarding FSU. I don’t think the B10 wants them, either.
My immediate concern is us keeping our own program viable nationally.
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I’ll see it when it happens, but with that being said, If FSU/Clemson continue on the trajectory they are on, I really don’t see the value they bring to any conference at this point, including the Big 12. FSU won’t even make the CFP at this point. Clemson, who feels adamant they belong in the SEC, just got obliterated by Georgia.
FSU suing their conference is just a preview of what they are capable of in the future. If they end up in the Big 12 or SEC, are they just going to issue lawsuits if they don’t like the conference anymore?
Very astute observation. Or just suing to get more money every three years. They aren’t a more prominent program than the day they signed the exit policy. Far from it. They just think they can go into another conference’s couch cushion and come out with a ransom. Really, they aren’t the money school in Florida. UF is. They perceive their window closing to keep up.
That was what I thought all along…FSU is borrowing a play from UT’s playbook to leverage more money.
Also, remember Disney (ESPN + ABC ) is in a dispute with Direct TV.
Apparently, also Fox is in a dispute with providers in Oregon, Washington & California because they want those states to charge more?
So…apparently cable like market coverage DOES still matter.
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I think Yormark is really banking on UCF.
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The guy who wrote this post above is an ACC guy so take what he says with a grain of salt.
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I agree. UCF is a low investment, high potential program with excellent fundamentals. They bring stability in a state that loves football. I’ve always enjoyed playing them because their fans are firmly planted in reality. And most times they bring quality competition that keeps your SOS steady.
If they extend it after 2027 guessing they renegotiate payouts? I still don’t see espn giving them sec or big10 money nor close. I think Fla st will still want out bc they mentioned they want more money and prestige to recruit better.They got upset right when Ucf got the big12 invite so they want a better conf than Ucf so it seems they still want out.