Amid Big 12 expansion rumors, FSU leaving ACC picks up pace as court makes ESPN contract ruling in favor of Seminoles
The saga between the Florida State Seminoles and Atlantic Coast Conference continues as FSU has gotten a slight victory in their legal tussle. The conference has seven days to provide the university copies of the ACC media rights contract with ESPN as well as related documents under a protective order, per the Tampa Bay Times.
As of right now, the documents are to be treated as confidential, but that can change. With the ongoing rumors and speculation regarding FSU being part of conference realignment and joining the Big 12 Conference, this continues to be a major story for the college football world. It could be the difference between normality and a second edition of what the Pac-12 went through.
What does this mean for FSU to Big 12 rumors?
This decision by the Leon County Court should be viewed as nothing but a victory for the Florida State Seminoles. However, this does continue to open the door for FSU to Big 12 rumors.
Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger reported on Wednesday that both Clemson and FSU were in "early conversations" regarding conference realignment and the two schools potentially joining the conference. While these two things coming out within 24 hours of one another could be viewed as nothing more than a coincidence, the timing is seemingly intriguing to say the least.
FSU would still need to legally get out of the Atlantic Coast Conference by either an agreement or the $574 million Grant of Rights fee. However, the fact that Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is currently having preliminary conversations with Florida State and Clemson gives an indication that things may be speeding up shortly.
Would FSU and Clemson be a package deal in conference realignment?
Neither school has said they are going to be shopped together as a package in conference realignment. However, with other conferences not wanting to have an odd number of members, them being a package deal would make the most sense.
The legal battle between the two schools and the ACC marches on but details surrounding the case continue to make this one of the more anticipated rulings in college athletics.