Florida State took a lot of shots from people in North Carolina when they became vocal about wanting and needing to leave the ACC. Sports talk guys, journalists, and an athletic director of a program based in North Carolina all had something negative to say about FSU then.
Former UNC Athletic Director said this about FSU in August 2023:
"I don't think it's good for our league for them to be out there barking like that," Cunningham said on"The Adam Gold Show.""I'd rather see them be a good member of the league, support the league and if they have to make a decision, then so be it. Pay for the exit fee, wait for your grant of rights that you've given and then in 2036, when those rights return to you, do whatever you want."
It was said FSU was a bad steward of money. FSU was crazy because the ACC Grant of Rights was "Ironclad," and they hadn't won anything lately, despite FSU consistently leading the league in TV viewership on average over the last decade.
Must Read: Latest News Shows FSU MasterClass in ACC Lawsuit Settlement
It's funny because FSU led the charge to get out of the ACC, followed by Clemson, and both teams forced the ACC to settle, ultimately getting everything they wanted. They will be eligible for more money while they remain in the league, and know exactly how much it will cost when they are ready to leave. Oh, and they have veto power over everything.
Now that FSU and Clemson have all the power, a North Carolina website published a piece indicating North Carolina is interested in joining the SEC.
Realignment watch: Sources say UNC is among the schools exploring a potential move from the ACC with the SEC as the likely target đź‘€
— Sports Business Journal (@SBJ) July 24, 2025
Under Chancellor Lee Roberts and incoming AD Steve Newmark, the Tar Heels could be leading the pack alongside Clemson.
Via @InsideCarolina
FSU Fan Reaction
FSU took all the arrows while Bubba Cunningham was going on Triangle radio shows throwing shade, UNC and ACC media (Andrew Carter, David Teal, Joe Ovies, etc) criticizing FSU’s arrogance only for UNC to be the first to benefit from FSU’s work https://t.co/JKuJavDUv8
— Tom (@TB424) July 24, 2025
When FSU wanted out it was “disloyalty.” But UNC, the ACC’s founding member, is eyeing the SEC. Better keep that same energy. https://t.co/xx8txVAFVB
— DroSports™ (@DroSports) July 24, 2025
Remember when UNC and most of you were hating on FSU for wanting to do this? Well, Well. Let’s hear it folks, what do you have to say now? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/4kzIX1cYk6 pic.twitter.com/MeZ4xBhh4p
— Kerry Robinson (@kerrykrobinson) July 24, 2025
The hypocrisy of one of the founding members of the ACC is mindboggling. All I hear is North Carolina folks saying they wanted FSU to do it behind closed doors. It's hard to do that when everyone is telling you it's impossible to leave without paying a crazy amount of money, or FSU should honor the contract.
The fact of the matter is that FSU has carried the ACC on and off the field. If FSU hadn't filed its lawsuit first, no ACC school would be in a position to make any moves until the ACC's contracts expire at the end of 2036. ACC teams can look to make moves as early as 2027-28 with the B1G and SEC looking to negotiate new TV contracts in the next five years or so.
FSU will end up in the SEC or B1G, I'm not worried about them finding a home, but it sucks they had to endure all the negativity for others to enjoy the fruits of their labor and won't face the same ridicule.