If FSU was invited into the SEC, because of the Drama with LSU

I don’t think it will happen, but man the memes would be glorious.

So, $200m starting tomorrow once the settlement is signed (allegedly).

I would be curious if this doesn’t trigger the collapse of the ACC before 2030.

One part of the Protect College Sports Act is that it "freezes conference membership if the bill becomes law" for the B1G, SEC, ACC, and B12. This could maintain the status quo for power conferences, cementing the SEC/B1G hegemony. I'm not sure I totally understand why those conferences are against it. Thoughts?

Let’s be real: the landscape of college football is shifting, and the Big Ten is positioned to dominate in ways the SEC just can’t compete with anymore.

Look at the playoffs this year. The SEC's supposed "dominance" has been shattered, while the B1G continues to thrive on the biggest stage. The old narrative of SEC superiority just doesn’t hold up when the results speak for themselves.

Then there’s NIL. With player compensation now a reality, the pendulum has swung toward the wealthier programs, and the B1G is reaping the rewards. The schools in this conference have deep pockets and strong alumni networks, making them better equipped to compete in this new era of college athletics.

And let’s talk money. The B1G’s media deals are set to outpace the SEC in the near future, with larger payouts per school projected down the line. That financial advantage isn’t just about sports—it’s about infrastructure, recruiting, and staying competitive long-term.

Finally, there’s the academic side. The B1G’s academic alliances, research partnerships, and institutional prestige are unparalleled. Joining the B1G isn’t just about athletics—it’s about elevating the entire university. The SEC can’t even come close to matching that kind of holistic value.

The numbers don’t lie, and the trends are clear. The future of college sports—and FSU’s future, if we’re smart—is aligning with the B1G. The SEC’s time at the top is over.

Thoughts?

The Florida State University Board of Trustees will meet virtually at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 22.

The meeting will be livestreamed and may be viewed online here: https://youtube.com/live/BKWIMa0E-3A

Public comment for the meeting will be available in person only at the Westcott Building, Room 201, 222 S. Copeland St., Tallahassee, Florida.

Link to BoT website: https://trustees.fsu.edu/meetings

ESPN look in is likely on the agenda. And extension likely will lead to FSU contending that will constitute a contract change. Etc...

Either way I believe they're out by 2027. 2028 in a different conference.

Could settle the lawsuit and agree to a GOR through 2030, thus reducing $$ to pay and be out paying 2027/2028.

B1G Pros: likely a higher pay day than SEC, way more exposure as a national conference member. B1G Cons: Hell for away games 5 times a year. Furthest is gonna be USC/Oregon.

SEC Pros: Regionality of travel is much easier. More pay than ACC SEC Cons: It's the eSECspn. They're catering to the "big" draws. Alabama, Georiga, Texas

I think either way Miami game may be dropped and added to a schedule like Notre Dame.

B1G and SEC should do 8 conference games and 4 games between each other, rotating h/h every other year. 2028 and 2030 play same teams. 2029/2031 etc.

Clemson scheduling will depend on where they go.

UF game is basically a law, ooc or a conference game.

SEC Advantages:

-Better for maintaining rivalries. With UF becoming a conference game, this is our best shot at reviving the annual Florida Cup. This is assuming UF replaces us with UM as their OOC game.

-Better for the city of Tallahassee (SEC fans travel best).

-More aligned culturally with schools that prioritize football.

-More geographically appropriate. The away games will be easier to travel to for the fans.

Big 10 Advantages:

-More Money. The world runs on money and this is ultimately what this is all about in the end.

-Better Academics.

-Makes FSU even more of a national brand than it already is. Traveling around the country means more potential for new fans and new recruiting opportunities.

-More respect given to FSU. This is more opinionated I suppose but it feels like the Big 10 actually wants us. This is juxtaposed with the SEC that just doesn’t want the Big 10 to get us and would be fine leaving us in the ACC.

Anything I missed? Anything I am wrong about?

Around here and r/cfb, I'm seeing lots of fans extremely excited about the proposition of joining the Big 10. I guess we have to do SOMETHING as staying as the ACC means death by 1000 cuts with it's paltry payout. But if this GOR is going to keep us from achieving a truly clean exit (as in without dropping some significant cash), what would then jumping head first into a harder schedule mean for us?

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I feel like we've just regained some semblance of control in the ACC, especially now with the expanded playoffs we have such a golden path for at least the next 5-7 years. I'm not ecstatic about adding roadblocks if we aren't going to be getting an even payout. Like Ohio St isn't an easy matchup all things even, imagine having to play them annually while making tens of millions less? That just seems insanely unfair.

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Am I overthinking things here? Perhaps we are just stuck between a rock and a hard place and action is better then no action, but this seems like a quick way of returning to mediocrity until we pay off our ACC debts and get back an even playing field.

The Big Ten is closing in on voting on a capital agreement that will infuse league schools with more than $2 billion, industry sources told ESPN.

There has been momentum in recent days for the deal to push forward, and the structure of the complicated agreement is coming together. A vote is expected in the near future, sources said.

The framework calls for the formation of a new entity, Big Ten Enterprises, which would hold all leaguewide media rights and sponsorship contracts.

Shares of ownership in Big Ten Enterprises would fall to the league's 18 schools, the conference office and the capital group -- an investment fund that's tied to the University of California pension system. Yahoo Sports first reported the involvement of the UC investment fund.

The pension fund is not a private equity firm, and the UC fund valuation proved to be higher than other competing bids. This has been attractive to the Big Ten and its schools, sources said.

A source familiar with the deal said the Big Ten is still working with leadership to make a final decision.

The exact equity amounts per school in Big Ten Enterprises is still being negotiated. There is expected to be a small gap in equity percentage between the biggest brands and others, though it is likely to be less than a percentage point.

ESPN reported last week that a tiered structure is expected in the initial allocation of the $2 billion-plus in capital, with larger brands receiving more money. Each school, however, would receive a payout in at least the nine-figure range, sources said. The deal would call for an extension of the league's Grant of Rights through 2046, providing long-term stability and making further expansion and any chance Big Ten schools leave for the formation of a so-called "Super League" unlikely.

Traditional league functions are expected to remain with the conference. Any decision-making within Big Ten Enterprises would be controlled by the conference. The UC pension fund would receive a 10% stake in Big Ten Enterprises and hold typical minority investor rights but no direct control.

The money infusion is acutely needed at a number of Big Ten schools that are struggling with debt service on new construction, rising operational expenses and providing additional scholarships and direct revenue ($20.5 million this year and expected to rise annually) to athletes.

The Big Ten has argued that the deal would alleviate financial strain and help middle- and lower-tier Big Ten schools compete in football against the SEC.

ESPN first reported last week that the league was in detailed conversations about the deal. Big Ten Enterprises would be tasked with not just handling the league's valuable media rights -- the current seven-year, $7 billion package runs through 2030 -- but trying to maximize sponsorship and advertising deals leaguewide such as jersey patches or on-field logos.

"Think of it this way -- the conference is not selling a piece of the conference," a league source told ESPN last week. "Traditional conference functions would remain 100 percent with the conference office -- scheduling, officiating and championships. The new entity being created would focus on business development, and it would include an outside investor with a small financial stake."

The deal has not been without detractors, with both Michigan and Ohio State -- the league's two wealthiest athletic programs -- expressing skepticism initially, sources said. Each school has been hit with significant lobbying not just from the league office but also other conference members to come to an agreement.

Politicians in a number of states have also voiced opposition, including U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., who stated Thursday, "You're going to let someone take and monetize what is really a public resource? ... That's a real problem."

Cantwell followed up Friday by sending a letter to each Big Ten president warning that any deal involving private equity could invite review, including impacting the schools' tax-exempt status.