There is no correlation, whatsoever, between research money and athletic money. This is one of the most ridiculous, and desperate, arguments coming out of the ACC basketball schools.

The federal government and companies paying for research and studies don't give a rat's ass who the football team is playing.

So you think that the CIC grant, for example, being shared by Big 10 schools is just a coincidence?

That is the bizarre exception that proves the rule.

Long ago, way, way, way before college sports became as important as it is, the Big 10 schools bound themselves together tightly with this arrangement.

That is NOT normal. Every other major conference is, strictly, and only, an athletic conference. FSU does not benefit from being in the ACC. In academic terms, the SEC is the most dog-crap major conference in the land, so you'd think schools would be fleeing them, not joining. Yet, somehow Vandy still manages to remain one of the most highly-ranked schools in the country in both prestige and research dollars. One would also think Notre Dame is suffering, but they rank very highly on federal research dollars.

As of 7/1/2012, the SEC is a better academic conference than the Big XII. Part of the reason Mizzou and aTm were allowed in by the college presidents is that both are AAU members.

I believe, but I am not 100% certain, that the ACC members lobby together for their grants and that any teams leaving the ACC would risk losing them.

Nebraska lost their AAU status before they moved to th B1G, but that didnt affect the move

They lost it after they were accepted. It is very likely that they would not have been invited otherwise.

From what I understand, it was the result of votes by other B1G schools that got it revoked.

http://floridastate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1364755

Until now, everyone officially associated with Florida State has publicly supported the recently announced television deal between the Atlantic Coast Conference and ESPN/ABC.

That is no longer the case.

In an exclusive interview with Warchant.com, Florida State Board of Trustees Chairman Andy Haggard blasted the agreement that will net each ACC school approximately $17 million per year through 2026-27.



Florida State BOT Chairman Andy Haggard is among those displeased with the ACC's new TV contract.
While the new deal will result in an increase of nearly $4 million per school from the old contract, some of the terms have resulted in harsh criticism from Florida State fans and alumni. It has also drawn the ire of FSU's Board of Trustees' Chair.

"It's mind-boggling and shocking," said Haggard. "How can the ACC give up third tier rights for football but keep them for basketball?"

Haggard is referring to the fact that the ACC surrendered all third tier television rights for football to ESPN/ABC but kept them for men's basketball. That arrangement will likely result in substantial revenue for schools with a strong basketball following like North Carolina and Duke.On the other hand, it will do very little for schools with a more traditional football following like FSU, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Miami.

"It continues the perception that the ACC favors the North Carolina schools," noted Haggard.

Haggard added that he has received numerous emails from FSU fans and alumni since the deal was announced and estimates that about 95 percent are unhappy with the ACC's deal and how it will impact Florida State.

This overwhelming criticism over the ACC's handling of the new TV deal and FSU's recently announced financial shortcomings (projected $2.4 million deficit for 2012-13) have only added fuel to rumors of a potential move to the Big 12.

Haggard confirmed that as far as he knows there has been no contact between FSU and the Big 12 regarding possible expansion. However, he makes it very clear that he and the Board of Trustees would be more than open to exploring the possibility if it would mean additional revenue to the school.

"How do you not look into that option," asked Haggard. "On behalf of the Board of Trustees I can say that unanimously we would be in favor of seeing what the Big 12 might have to offer. We have to do what is in Florida State's best interest."

It has been reported that the new Big 12 television deal with ESPN/ABC will be result in each school receiving approximately $20 million per year. Were FSU and fellow ACC member Clemson to join the Big 12 that figure would go even higher. The SEC's new TV deal with Texas A&M and Missouri joining the conference is expected to be worth well over $20 million annually per school.

"With the SEC making the kind of money it does it's time to act," said Haggard. "You can't sit back and be content in the ACC. This is a different time financially. This isn't 10-15 years ago when money was rolling in."

Of the few who still support FSU staying in the ACC, most cite the number of well-regarded academic institutions within the conference. However, Haggard scoffed at the idea that the ACC somehow helps FSU's academic reputation.

"No FSU graduate puts on his resume or interviews for a job saying they are in the same conference as Duke and Virginia," he said. "Conference affiliation really has no impact on academics."

Haggard concluded that he will be speaking with FSU president Eric Barron and Athletic Director Randy Spetman about the best way to proceed in exploring options outside of the ACC.

With the story of Pittsburg suing the Big East to get out, if the Big East dies, it was a suicide.

Uhh.... wow. You see this post I put up this morning?

Throw that post away, we no longer have smoke, we've got fire. The freaking chair of the FSU board of trustees just angrily blasted the ACC's deal, and openly commented that the board of trustees are unanimously in agreement with looking at the Big 12 as an option.

I looked into what the ACC has. The only thing they do, is study-abroad scholarships and a PHD student transfer program. Thats it, for research dollars they are all mercenaries competing with everyone.

With the SEC, academics is not a variable, at all. It is just empty bragging rights, and window-dressing to throw onto a deal after it has been decided.

This is just beginning to blow up on the internet. CBS and NBC both threw up quickie blog posts, presumably to buy time while they work on a more official story.

This is beyond awesome potential news for the Big 12. FSU would be a HUGE fish to get especially for the football. Could create a chain reaction for ND and Clemson as well. Big access Florida recruiting.

Rumors now saying that VPI is reaching out to the SEC.

Abandon Ship! All hands, abandon ship! (unless you are a basketball school, in that case stick around, because ACC hoops will become pretty sweet soon)

As a notre dame fan I definetly would prefer to join the ACC if we had to join a conference. The fanbase is mostly based on the east coast and recruiting wise with the Carolinas and Florida. The fanbase and recruiting wise is pretty weak in the Big XII.