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FSU football: Why Michael Alford’s chess move on the ACC was powerful

By Kelvin Hunt

Florida State University Athletic Director Michael Alford stands on the sidelines as the war chant is played by the Marching Chiefs before kickoff of the game between the Seminoles and the Clemson Tigers at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.Alford003
Florida State University Athletic Director Michael Alford stands on the sidelines as the war chant is played by the Marching Chiefs before kickoff of the game between the Seminoles and the Clemson Tigers at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.Alford003 /
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FSU football is one of the most valuable brands in college football. Ironically, unlike most colleges, FSU is good and even elite in a ton of other sports too, but football is the driver of everything regarding revenue and TV contracts.

FSU has carried the ACC since joining the conference in the early 90s. If you’re a casual fan, it’s no coincidence that FSU football seemingly always gets the primetime spots.

The Noles had eight primetime games in the 2022 season after finishing the 2021 season 5-7.

It’s the byproduct of playing at an elite level for so many years. Folks either want to see the Noles win or lose, but either way, they tune in, and that’s music to the ears of TV executives.

FSU Athletic Director Michael Alford understands the value of the FSU football brand to the ACC, but more importantly, the value of FSU’s national brand.

It’s no coincidence Michael Alford has been slowly building up to what he did Friday with his public statements on FSU and the ACC.

It began throughout the 2022 season as FSU set excellent TV ratings in primetime games, and Alford promoted those feats on social media.

After further research and many conversations, Michael Alford finally said what every FSU football fan has been saying for the past few years: FSU has to get more money from the ACC or find an alternative route to receive more money(leave the ACC).

Here’s why the decision to make public statements on the issue were powerful.

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