Florida St. AD's Words Indicate He Might Want to Move to SEC Soon

If the Seminoles were accepted, who would commissioner Greg Sankey need to bring with them?

Author:
Kent Smith
Publish date:
Feb 26, 2023 10:41 AM EST

In this story:

FRISCO, Texas – You hear that? It's the sound of another school hoping to invite itself into the SEC where they will immediately find themselves making annual trips to Fayetteville.

On Friday, Florida State athletics director Michael Alford went to his Board of Trustees to let them know "something has to change" in regard to the disparity between what the SEC and Big Ten are about to start making financially and what the ACC is stuck making for the next 13 years.

The Seminoles already get roughly $9 million less than SEC schools before the new television deal takes over in 2024. The new estimate according to Alford is a $30 million yearly deficit will be created by not leaving for the SEC.

That has him hopping mad.

"Something has to change because we cannot compete nationally being $30 million behind every year," Alford said according to ESPN.com's Andrea Adelson. "It's not one year. We're talking about $30 million compounded year after year."

And lately, when Board of Trustees are involved, more often than not a change in conference is in order.

It wouldn't be as big of a problem as some might think. While a move to the Big Ten in the near future would be a no go because it takes money from ESPN and shifts it over to CBS, Fox and NBC, moving ESPN money to ESPN is a much easier proposition.

According to Alford, Florida State brings in 15% of the ACC's value. That makes solid financial sense for the SEC.

The Seminoles have always felt like a first cousin to the SEC members and that revenue value almost makes them feel like an immediate part of the family.

If anyone has ever visited Florida, the panhandle area is an entirely different world from the rest of the state.

The sunshine state is essentially three states.

There's the panhandle, everything from Lake City to Lake Okeechobee, and everything south of that is essentially New York depending on which time of the year you visit.

Therefore, not only would the SEC be getting a national brand, but it would essentially be adding a new region to the conference.

There's just one problem. If Florida State comes, then someone else has to also.

The one name people like to shout more than anyone else is Clemson.

There's just one problem with that. Clemson is in South Carolina.

In this new world, the Tigers need the SEC way more than the SEC would need the Tigers.

That's a state that is already covered quite nicely by the Gamecocks.

The Seminoles have football and are traditionally good in baseball and softball, but will pull down the SEC on the basketball side.

Because of that, the wish list for traits goes a little like this:

1. Expands the SEC footprint in terms of new eyeballs.

2. Can be solid in football and potentially strong in basketball.

There are three prime candidates to come in with Florida State.

North Carolina

There has been a lot of whining about the Tar Heels not really being up to snuff in basketball this year. They're currently 17-11 with a winning record in conference.

However, the reason that's such a big deal is that North Carolina is a huge basketball blue blood. Therefore, they add a strength that Florida State doesn't.

They're also a Super Regional baseball team and a division champion in football. As for population, there are roughly 11 million potential viewers in North Carolina, so the Tar Heels appear to stand up as a quality option.

The only question would be whether North Carolina is brave enough to strike out on its own without Duke and North Carolina State.

The Tar Heels would also be a Big Ten target, but, again, it's a lot easier to get an extra $30 million per year now because of the SEC's ESPN ties than it would be to stick it out and wait for the deal to run its course for a possible chance a the Big Ten.

Virginia

There is little doubt that the Cavaliers bring a high pedigree when it comes to basketball. They're currently the No. 6 team in the country and are almost always a threat to take a seed somewhere between No. 1 and No. 3.

As far as bringing in new eyeballs, there's 10 million potential new customers, plus you've opened up the Washington DC market. Even more, the SEC recruiting footprint could extend into Maryland, which is a much better recruiting ground than people might think.

If this were many years ago, the obvious question would be why not take Virginia Tech. They're a more natural cultural fit.

However, if anyone has seen the standings in basketball and football lately, then you know those two sports are not a priority in Blacksburg like they used to be.

As far as baseball goes, the two athletic programs are essentially a wash. Much like North Carolina, Virginia is a Big Ten target and for the same reasons at North Carolina, it would be best for the SEC to strike now if it wants the Virginia market to be part of the conference.

On a side note, not only would the Cavaliers provide quality travel partners for Tennessee and Kentucky, they would give SEC fans a good excuse to visit one of the more beautiful areas of the country.

Oklahoma State

The Cowboys definitely fit the bill as far as being a natural cultural fit. They also bring tremendous programs in football, basketball, baseball and softball.

If this were the 90s, Oklahoma State would be a shoe-in. They're a legitimate rival for Arkansas, and provide companionship for an Oklahoma team that is going to feel very lonely in the SEC.

Unfortunately, it's not the 90s. Potential television revenue means a lot more than what happens on the field or fit.

It's how the SEC ended up with Texas instead of Oklahoma State to begin with.

There are just under 4 million people in Oklahoma, the vast majority of which are already willing to tune in for an Oklahoma game, so there's just not a lot of financial value the Cowboys can add in terms of television market.

Conclusion

Probably the best option here is going to be North Carolina should Florida State end up needing a partner to dance with into the SEC in the near future. They're viewed by most as a southern state and have a lot to bring to the table.

If the SEC can pry Duke and NC State off the Tar Heels' hips and get the Big Ten to stop standing out in the yard holding a vintage boom box up in the air, this could be quite a pair of acquisitions for the conference going forward.