Seminole Sunday Sauce — Dec. 24, 2023: FSU Pushes Legal Action Against ACC
Are Florida State and the ACC on the verge of divorce? Folks in Tallahassee certainly hope so.
Earlier this week, FSU filed a lawsuit against the conference that it has been affiliated with for more than 30 years. The goal for FSU is ultimately departure.
FSU has not been quiet about the revenue disparity between the ACC and other major conferences. One might say that the “final straw” came earlier this month when the Seminoles became the first undefeated Power 5 champion ever left out of the College Football Playoff.
From FSU’s perspective, the ACC did little more than file a halfhearted statement of disappointment. The College Football Playoff Selection Committee was chaired by Boo Corrigan, the athletics director at NC State — a fellow ACC school.
There’s no question that FSU is one of the conference’s premier brands. This fall, FSU claimed ACC titles in football, women’s soccer, and a share of the crown in volleyball. FSU soccer would go on to claim its fourth national championship in 10 years. The Seminoles were also the most-watched football team in the conference this season by a wide margin.
FSU’s biggest obstacle toward leaving the conference will be getting of the “Grant-of-Rights” media deal that runs through 2036. On the Double Fries No Slaw podcast earlier this week, Doug Rohan of Rohan Law gave insight into what the legal battle may look like.
FOOTBALL
Record: 13-0
Ranking: No. 4 AP Poll; No. 3 USA Today Coaches Poll; No. 5 College Football Playoff
Past Week: Idle
Upcoming: vs. Georgia (Orange Bowl, Saturday)
Recognitions: None
Commitments: D’Nas White, 3-star DL* (No. 691 overall); Solomon Thomas, 2025 5-star OL (No. 18 overall*)
Decommitments: KJ Bolden, 5-star S* (No. 15 overall); Armondo Blount, 5-star DL* (No. 41 overall)
2024 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 9 nationally, second in ACC (22 total commitments)
Wrap-up: The Early Signing Period didn’t go as hoped for FSU, but the Seminoles still walked away with a top-10 class.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Record: 6-5 (0-1 ACC)
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: (2-0), beat North Florida on Tuesday, 91-75; beat Winthrop on Friday, 67-61
Upcoming: vs. Lipscomb (Saturday)
Recognitions: None
Commitments: None
Decommitments: None
2024 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 81 nationally, 15th in ACC (1 total commitment)
Wrap-up: After a horrendous stretch, it was a nice bounce-back week for FSU.
Swimming and Diving
Ranking: Men No. 16 CSCAA; women No. 23 CSCAA
Past Week: CSCAA Open Water Championships were canceled
Upcoming: vs. Harvard (Jan. 9)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: FSU will have to wait a little longer to return to action.
Women’s Basketball
Record: 9-3
Ranking: No. 21 AP; No. 22 USA TODAY Coaches Poll
Past Week: (2-0), beat Drexel on Sunday, 76-56; beat Alabama State on Wednesday, 110-45
Upcoming: vs. Georgia Tech (Friday)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: After two easy wins to close the non-conference, FSU is ready to begin ACC play.
*Recruiting rankings according to the 247Sports Composite rankings
- Mike Ferguson is the lead writer for Double Fries No Slaw. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. For all of his work, “Like” or “Follow” Mike on Facebook.
