ESPN's Paul Finebaum Shares Doubts on Florida State's Fit in SEC
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There has been a lot of talk about conference realignment this past year after the SEC expansion plans to add Texas and Oklahoma in 2024. Now, rumors have been circulating in the off-season of a reported meeting within the ACC that was dubbed a 'Magnificent Seven' group of schools, with the aim of circumventing the current Grant of Rights. Florida State and Clemson were among the schools mentioned in the discussions.
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On Monday, ESPN's Paul Finebaum spoke on the "McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning" podcast, expressing his concerns and reasons why he believes Clemson and Florida State wouldn't be suitable additions.
"Clemson, to me, quite frankly, doesn't bring that much," Finebaum said. "I know it brings a national championship program from a couple of years ago. Clemson won twice, but from a geographical standpoint, I don't think they add anything. I think South Carolina already covers the area in that part of the world very well."
Regarding Florida State, Finebaum noted similarities with Clemson, mentioning existing SEC schools in their region.
"I think Florida State is similar. I don't think they're nearly as attractive as they think they are," Finebaum stated. "Besides, Florida already covers that part of the world and so I think Miami, to me, would be next. I think it's an important part of the country. It's a very populated part of the country too."
Finebaum also highlighted the length and financial implications of schools' contracts, such as in the ACC, making it expensive to leave, and exemplified by the amount of time left.
"It's so difficult to get out of these agreements, as you know," Finebaum remarked. "I think if everyone had a free get out of jail card, we would see activity that would resemble the skies over Atlanta right now, but we don't. I firmly believe at least 40 percent of the ACC would leave tomorrow, maybe more. I think these contracts like the ACC, like others, just do not allow anyone to get out without paying a fortune."
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