College football has seen some big shakeups in recent weeks — and rumors say other big programs are asking around.
Clemson and Florida State have asked about joining the SEC, according to reports.
The rumors were fueled by yesterday’s tweets from Marc Ryan, a radio personality on ESPN.
But don’t expect big moves anytime soon.
According to Ryan, the SEC is concerned that Clemson and Florida State wouldn’t bring the same money and attention that Oklahoma and Texas did. The two schools recently joined the conference.
Only Notre Dame would “add to the pot,” Ryan said.
Per a reliable source, Clemson+Florida State have reached out to the SEC about joining the conference.
The SEC is concerned that streaming numbers for Clemson+Florida State don't bring what Oklahoma+Texas do.
Notre Dame is the only "free agent" left that would "add to the pot."
— Marc Ryan (@MarcRyanOnAir) August 2, 2021
Later that day, the sports website The Athletic asked Clemson to comment. A spokesperson at Clemson denied the rumors outright.
One reporter explains:
The Athletic reached out to Clemson about the Clemson/SEC rumor making rounds today. An athletics spokesperson just now: "There is no truth to the report that Clemson University has been in contact with the Southeastern Conference regarding membership."
— Grace Raynor (@gmraynor) August 2, 2021
Other reporters have taken issue with the sourcing of Ryan’s tweet.
A different radio host tweeted:
The source of that Clemson/FSU “report” makes it automatically disqualifying.
And not one single person has offered a plausible way for ANY program from the ACC to walk away from the 15+ years remaining on the conference’s TV rights deal.
— Kyle Bailey (@KyleBaileyClub) August 2, 2021
Ryan’s source remains anonymous. Ryan responded to critics by clarifying his earlier tweet.
Twitter remains undefeated at shooting the messenger.
A conversation I had with an inside source is what I've shared. I don't "report" anything😂
Nowhere have I said Clemson is lying.
Colleagues at two national 3 letter networks have reached out saying they have the same info. https://t.co/7zJytUTO22
— Marc Ryan (@MarcRyanOnAir) August 2, 2021
These rumors come one week after other shakeups in the SEC’s lineup.
On July 26, Oklahoma and Texas formally announced their decisions to leave the Big 12 Conference, and each school has been admitted to the SEC.
OU and UT will join the SEC sometime after the 2025 season, as they are restricted by their current contracts with the Big 12. The two schools may attempt to renegotiate these contracts.
The SEC currently includes 14 teams. If the rumors are true, then it will grow to include four more.
No official speaker from FSU has commented on the rumors at this time.
The Horn editorial team