The money tree in college football never stops producing, and lately, the produce has gotten crazier. The latest rendition came in the form of a revamped ESPN deal for the ACC and an updated revenue-sharing model. Unlike B1G and SEC where the bluebloods programs dominate the national eyeballs, the ACC is a relatively quieter conference. However, two programs – in Florida State and Clemson – have tried to break that quiet. What was the whole deal? To get rid of the exit fees the programs will have to pay the ACC. Now, with the new ESPN-ACC partnership, they might be on their way to settling the differences.

But the confusion continues to heat up as a national analyst predicts some jeopardy in ACC’s conference reality in the near future.

Florida State has been in dilemma in the ongoing conference battle 

The ACC-Florida State relationship has been a whirlwind ride. Last year, both parties sued each other to determine whether the Seminoles could cut the tie without paying the $600 million exit cost. The litigation didn’t resolve later on as the NCAA moved on to an expanded top 12 design. However, as ESPN extended the media rights agreement through 2036 and is reportedly working to add more value, including creating more big matchups and adapting a new revenue model, there are chances that the schools will pull some bigger benefits than before. And you wouldn’t be wrong to think that the latest update makes the ACC a big happy family again. Well, it’s not that simple, folks!

Of course, Florida State is a big draw in the ACC. No doubts there! However, that doesn’t mean other programs wouldn’t have taken an issue with the Seminoles getting a bigger cut of the pie. How did ACC deal with that? Well, by rewarding post-season success. Unfortunately for Florida State, a 2-10 record gets you as much post-season success as a team that stopped existing.

Does the new arrangement change things? Kenton Gibbs wondered the same on the “Locked on ACC” podcast and asked the question. “How does that [new revenue sharing mode] benefit Florida State than perhaps the old deal before the extension or before the option was exercised?”

“Well, it’ll give them a bigger piece of the pie, and that’s what they want. Now, they’ll want more than what they’re going to get, but, at least, they’ll feel like they got something out of this. that they won. The other thing, too, is right now their bargaining position is nowhere near what it was last year at this time. Does the SEC really want them right now? Does the BIG 10 really need them right now? No. So, where are they going to go?” insider Brett Friedlander responded.

It may sound like it is aimed to lift the heavy financial burden from Mike Norvell and Florida State, given how they suffer in comparison with peers in bigger conferences, SEC and BIG 10.

But the reality is a bit different. There is a chance that they will let it slip on both ends. To make it more clear, the BIG 10 specifically has too many options and priorities to even take a look at FSU as a good partner. They had a history of legal rifle against the ACC, so it’s majorly unlikely that they will allow to let the door open for an ACC school.

Well, on the other side, the SEC doesn’t want to welcome Florida State majorly because they already have a grip over the Florida market. So, if we draw a logical comparison, staying in ACC and finding a middle path would suit Mike Norvell better at this point, especially with the new TV deal on hand. However, it causes them to sleep on a huge $51 million dream.

The end to Mike Norvell’s SEC dream might not be as bad as it seems

The SEC’s FY23 record has been quite abundant. With a massive $50 million increase in revenue from the previous fiscal year, they are heavy on their journey to give tough competition with the NCAA, which brought in $1.22 billion for FY22. At the end of August 2023, the SEC recorded a total asset of $191 million. Yes, it’s the revised value after they have disbursed the $741 million share to its 14 member institutions—an average of around $51.3 million per school excluding bowl expenses.

With the money lure, there comes a huge media exposure and a rich recruiting trail that they could offer Florida State and Mike Norvell if they would join the conference in a hypothetical reality.

But one thing to note is that, even in case the SEC would have shown some interest in adding Mike Norvell and his team to the board, they would possibly do it with an ulterior motive. They would perhaps want to use them as a weapon to block Big 10 over an ego battle.

So, it’s subject to debate whether it’s bad luck for Norvell or a blessing in disguise, not being able to sneak their head into the SEC.