FSU and Clemson just reached a settlement to long-standing legal issues dating back to 2024 that "changes the league's revenue distribution model and significantly reduces exit penalties for members wanting to leave the conference before 2036," per ESPN's Andrea Adelson.
It was a shocker considering where the conference and the two schools stood once upon a time.
KSL.com's Jon Wilner believes Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan could get a similar deal to the Big Ten next.
"This will be the model for the Big Ten in the 2030s (unless there's a super league). No chance OSU/PSU/Mich share equally w bottom tier in next contract cycle," Wilner tweeted.
Where does it end?
Does Alabama, Texas, and Georgia seek the same deal from the SEC? Those three are half of the six brands that make most of the money in college football.
"According to figures shared with administrators, 18 schools produced 60% of the broadcast viewership over the last seven years. Within those 18, six schools generated a majority of that: Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Michigan, Texas and Notre Dame," Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger wrote.
Does the second tier of SEC teams ask for more than the bottom-feeders? Does the Big Ten also do tiers?
Will the Big 12 consider doing the same? They once got into hot water exploring that with Texas and Oklahoma.
College football is a different sport than it once was. Tuesday's decision further accelerates change with the ACC also lowering the exit fees and potentially bringing big conference realignment later this decade.