I think some are overplaying this to make FSU look like the hot girl with leprosy. Let's dig deeper than the superficial "FSU wants to tear up contracts and stiff their business partners" narrative.
ACC Media Partners: ESPN, The CW Network
B1G Media Partners: FOX, CBS, NBC
Big 12 Media Partners: FOX, ESPN
SEC Media Partners: ESPN/ABC
The reality for FSU is there is only one conference that makes sense for both them and their future conference: The B1G. Monetarily, the SEC and B1G are the only conferences whose payouts will meet FSU's expectations to keep them competitive with their "peers" (major national factory schools). However, you can eliminate the SEC because the SEC simply does not need FSU given UFlorida is already in their portfolio for the Florida market. Which leaves the B1G.
The B1G wants to desperately be in the Southeast markets, which is why they offered GT/UNC/UVA back in 2012 (which has been discussed ad nauseum on here). FSU was a nonstarter at the time because they simply were not up to the B1G's academic standards. What changed? FSU decided to invest massive sums into their academics, and they emphasized AAU designatioin.
Here's FSU's strategic plan (Flip to page 8):
That investment has seen a rise in FSU's academic standings (currently one of the top public schools in the country), and they are now on the radar of AAU, though they were not awarded AAU designation in the most recent group of schools that saw South Florida and Miami named. All of this is a bit esoteric academic information for the average college sports fan, but it's related to the B1G's interest in FSU (and because I'm a glutton for falling into the rabbit hole of information). About 3-5 years ago (if you go back in this thread you'll see I've mentioned it a few times throughout), there was a LOT of fire that the B1G was very interested in FSU, and it coincided with FSU's massive investment in academics and desire to receive AAU designation. Who ultimately decides on expansion targets? University Presidents. In the B1G, the university Presidents value academics, and FSU's rise in academics saw their profile rise with the B1G...and FSU's location is also a strategic growth market for the B1G. With FSU's rise in academics, and their massive viewership base across the country, the B1G can have their cake and eat it as well. Keep in mind the B1G's interest in FSU and FSU's investment in academics all preceded FSU's legal challenge to the GOR.
Now getting back to media partners or "business partners". Do you notice anything different about the P4 conference and their media partners? Notice which media company is involved with 3 of the P4, but not one of the P2? If you connect the dots, you can see why FSU has zero issues trying to torch the ACC and the ACC's contract with ESPN. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that FSU is going down the path of destruction because it doesn't affect the B1G and their media partners. It's the one conference that benefits BOTH the B1G and their media partners if FSU leaves the ACC.
The other fascinating thing that many posters on here are leaving out. Did anyone actually read the Brett McMurphy article or are they just regurgitating the headlines to further their narrative about FSU being "a bad partner" that no conference wants them?
“There is no appetite among the presidents unless there is some catastrophic development with the ACC and it forces [the Big Ten] into a decision,” the source said.
“If the ACC blows up, who picks first [between the Big Ten and SEC]? Who picks second? If there is a need and desire to expand, you take inventory so your competitors don’t get it. (
) But the presidents and chancellors are looking for stability. Despite what the social media geniuses are suggesting, no one — the leagues, the networks — is driving expansion.”
Pay attention to how McMurphy jumps from one anonymous source to another...it's very subtle in that article that if you don't pay attention, you'll miss it. It changes the complexion of what's getting attention in the headlines. It also changes how you view what was actually said by "anonymous sources". There's ALWAYS a "but..." in these articles. Brett McMurphy is a smart guy, he knows certain quotes sell, and saying FSU's chaos isn't attractive right now sells....but notice how no one is talking about the "but..." part. It's because it doesn't sell at the moment. Everyone knows once the ACC GOR is figured out or it expires, it's open season on ACC schools in the next round of expansion. Remember the last round of expansion and how all the big conferences denied they wanted to expand...until expansion happened. Then it happened shortly after that. Whether you like FSU or not, they are a top expansion target.
Before Kevin Warren left the B1G to work for the Bears, he let the cat out of the bag in terms of the B1G's plans. The B1G's aspirations are national, and the blueprint is pro franchises. The B1G wants to have schools where there are pro franchises, namely NFL franchises. There's this narrative that conferences are going to cap the amount of members (I've seen 20, I've seen 24). That's just a guess, and I'll say it's a bad guess. The number is what makes sense to each conference and their media partners. The more major markets you have, the bigger the pie gets. As long as each new member is additive and increases the size of each slice of the pie for existing conference members, expansion makes sense. If not, then the school won't make sense as an expansion target.
What I care about is what this means for GT. What does all this mean for GT? I think we're sitting pretty...and the end of the GOR can't come soon enough.