How will it shake out then?
FSU will be in the Big 10 by 2026. Miami will still be in the ACC.
That. Is. Bad.
I don't believe that a). FSU will be delayed until 2026 to join another conference ... I expect 2025 and b). By 2026 UM should be in another conference.
Right now it really is anybody's guess ... there is so much behind the scenes "****" going on that we could see any one of several scenarios playing out:
1. FSU & Clemson could announce their departure for the 2025 season ... before Cal/Stan/SMU join on July 1. THEN ESPN could immediately
enact the composition clause or just bail from the media agreement. Panic ensues, dialing for dollars takes place to find new homes and
we could see the SEC grab 2-4 schools, B10 grab 2, and the B12 grab a couple. Doubt this happens but it is a POSSIBILITY.
2. FSU & Clemson are "guided" to the SEC by ESPN for the 2025 season, the Big 10 responds by adding Miami and UNC for the 2026 seasons.
Exit fees are reduced from the "stated" figure because it is an arbitrary figure, and the GOR media "buyback" would just be for ONE
season as the current ESPN deal ends on June 30, 2027. This is the type resolution I would like to see.
The new ESPN CFP contract commences for the 2026 season. There could be seismic shifts in conference affiliation FOR that season. A lot more than just moving FSU and Clemson, who are both programs that are not as "high powered" as their fans are imagining. Let Miami win the ACC this year ... finally ... and the entire narrative changes 180 degrees quickly.