College football expansion: SEC would consider 2 ACC schools, per report
The rumor mill around college football expansion and conference realignment picked up again this offseason amid intense speculation that schools could make moves across the Power Five and other leagues making long-term plans into the future, including the SEC after it welcomes Texas and Oklahoma in time for 2024 kickoff.
But while conference may have pressed pause on expansion plans for now, it may not be done in the future as it continues to do due diligence on what teams may be a fit long-term, with the league considering Clemson and Florida State from the ACC as possible fits at some point, according to a media report.
That speculation includes the caveat that the SEC may also consider North Carolina, but would not contemplate adding Miami, as the league would not want more than two schools in the same state.
That runs in conflict with the prediction made by long-time SEC observer Paul Finebaum, who seemed to have the exact opposite view in remarks on the subject earlier this offseason, saying that the league would not take Clemson and Florida State, but would take Miami.
In theory, Clemson and Florida State would be easy fits for the SEC, both of which are considerable football brands with devoted followings, each residing in the heart of the Southeast, and they already play rivals each year that are currently members of the conference, South Carolina and Florida, respectively.
But adding ACC teams could be difficult
The speculative addition of any ACC team seems the least likely right now given that conference's apparently air-tight grant of rights agreement that runs through 2036.
That deal includes a reported massive $120 million exit fee for teams wanting to get out before then, plus the league would get to keep the media rights to those departing teams' home football games.
That led seven ACC members to do some recon work behind the scenes to see if there was a way out of the deal.
And, seeing there likely wasn't one, they then asked the conference to spread its money out a little more in their direction, with the ACC responding with a promise to do just that, though exactly how remains a question.
What's next?
Any interest the SEC may have in Clemson or Florida State will have to wait at least a few years for either conference to have a realistic chance to add them, especially considering the ACC's current grant of rights agreement.
And once the conference realignment process starts up, it's expected that the Big 12 will be the league making the most aggressive moves.
There remains rampant speculation that the conference is interested in adding a number of teams, including current Pac-12 member Colorado, as well as possibly Arizona, in addition to a pair of surprise schools in Gonzaga and reigning national champion UConn as it seeks to add to its considerable basketball portfolio.
But should the SEC get back into the expansion business, Clemson and Florida State appear to be at the top of the list.
(Report)
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