Tobacco Road Takes Passive Aggressive Stance Amidst Talks of FSU in Conference Realignment
Following Florida State’s Board of Trustees meeting a few days ago, members of the collegiate athletics landscape have fervently discussed the university’s decision to publicly state their intent to explore options outside of the Atlantic Coast Conference. President McCullough’s statements have split fans, analysts, and professionals down the middle.
On one side, you have those who understand that revenue is the primary factor driving interscholastic sports, and programs need to put themselves in a favorable financial position to continue moving forward. On the other side, you have those chastising Florida State for wanting to leave, claiming the university’s athletic program doesn’t deserve a change. Now, it appears that a fellow ACC member school’s athletic director has identified with the latter.
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On August 2, 2023, University of North Carolina Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham reacted to the comments from President McCullough in an interview with 99.9 - The Fan - in Raleigh, North Carolina.
"I don't think it's good for our league for them to be out there barking like that,” stated Cunningham. "I'd rather see them be a good member of the league, support the league and if they have to make a decision, then so be it. Pay for the exit fee, wait for your grant of rights that you've given and then in 2036, when those rights return to you, do whatever you want.”
Cunningham repeatedly harped on the grant of rights and its connection to the television contract between the ACC and ESPN that runs through 2036. In response to comments made by Florida State University Chairman Peter Collins earlier in the week, Cunningham made special note of the fact that the ACC member schools willingly agreed to this contract in 2016.
“When you have a general counsel and the university president and the board of trustees says I'm a member of this conference and you sign a document that says I'm granting my rights to you and you have my authority to go negotiate my rights to a network and the league does that on your behalf, I'm not sure how you can just say, 'Just kidding. I didn't like the deal that was struck and now I want to get out of it,'” said Cunningham.
The conversation surrounding conference realignment comes on the heels of an increased revenue gap between the ACC and the Big Ten and SEC, the shuffling of athletic programs around the Big Ten and Big XII, and the collapse of the Pac-12 as we know it. When asked about closing the gap and the distribution of revenue, Cunningham responded with, “everyone would like to have more money and everyone would like to win more. I don't think you have to have the most money to win the most games, and I think we've demonstrated that over the years.”
Despite his vehement opposition to FSU openly expressing their desire to leave the ACC, Cunningham acknowledged that the ACC is unlikely to survive much longer in its current form. "I don't see this configuration lasting in perpetuity,” stated the athletic director.
Florida State’s discussion of a potential departure from the ACC continues to be a divisive subject around the nation. Whereas the likes of the University of North Carolina may be content with its current financial situation, it has not stopped the Seminoles from exploring all possible options. The rumor of a private equity firm coming into the fold is but the most recent example of Florida State’s commitment to closing the revenue gap and remaining competitive at the national level across all varsity sports.
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