To exit the ACC, FSU would first have to pay 3X FSU’s total annual revenue share (estimated $120 million). But that is the easy part. FSU has contractually surrendered its media rights to the ACC. Thus, the ACC is the owner of FSU’s media rights. Why would the Big 10 invite FSU if the ACC owns FSU’s media rights? FSU has no media rights revenue to offer to the Big 10. The only way FSU can go to the Big 10 is to buy its media rights back from the ACC. However, ESPN’s contract with the ACC includes the right to telecast FSU athletics. If FSU exits the ACC, then ESPN reduces the annual media revenue payout to the ACC accordingly, (which axiomatically would be equal to any money the ACC would be paid by FSU to relinquish ownership of FSU’s media rights). In sum, the 13 remaining ACC schools would only share the $120M exit fee over 12 years ($769,231 per capita). Ultimately, it is not economically viable for FSU to exit the ACC.
FSU is bluffing to get a higher share of the ACC media revenue pie.
FSU is bluffing to get a higher share of the ACC media revenue pie.
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