SEC Football: Why Florida State Isn't an Expansion Option

Just when you thought conference expansion was going to take a year off, Florida State kick starts the process all over again.

Certain members of Florida State's leadership are unhappy with the recently-announced television deal with ESPN and ABC, to a point where they are lobbying to leave the ACC in favor of greener pastures.

Why the Big 12 and not the SEC? Simple, the SEC doesn't need Florida State.

Sure, geographically it makes sense. But this isn't about geography, it's about money.

As I stated Monday, if the SEC expands beyond 14 teams, Virginia Tech and N.C. State should be its primary targets due to the television markets those two programs bring. 

Maximizing television revenue is what conference expansion is all about, and the SEC already has Florida State's markets thanks to the Florida Gators. Advertisers don't care if you're watching a game because you love the team or you hate the team, they just care that you're watching.

Furthermore, current SEC members won't let that happen.

It was widely reported last year that leaders of the University of Florida, the University of Georgia and the University of South Carolina have a gentleman's agreement in place to block any SEC expansion in those states in an effort to block in-state competition from another SEC institution. That eliminates Florida State, Georgia Tech and Clemson from consideration.

Is there an outside shot that Florida State winds up in the SEC? I suppose, but the only way I can see that happening is if Florida State doesn't have a conference and the SEC is desperate for a new member.

Neither is likely.

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