Why Michael Alford’s chess move in the ACC was powerful

FSU football is one of the most valuable brands in college football. Ironically, unlike most colleges, FSU is good and even elite in many other sports as well, but football is the driver of all revenue and TV deals.

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 always seems to get the best seats.

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

It’s a byproduct of playing at an elite level for so many years. People 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 FSU’s football brand to the ACC, but more importantly, the value of FSU’s national brand.

It’s no coincidence that Michael Alford is slowly building on what he did Friday with his public statements about FSU and the ACC.

It began throughout the 2022 season, with FSU posting excellent prime-time TV ratings, and Alford touted those accomplishments on social media.

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

For this reason, the decision to make public statements on the subject was strong.