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FSU AD Michael Alford explains Noles' stance on leaving the ACC

By Andrew Hughes

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 / Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat / USA
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FSU AD Michael Alford sees the Noles leaving the ACC (via legal means) as a natural progression for the university as it assesses its place in the college sports marketplace. At least that's what he said at the NCAA baseball super regional.

"I'd say there's a lot of people interested in the formula, the blueprint," Alford told CBS Sports. "[There have been] a lot of questions about how we got to this point. It's really looking at the analytical side of where this business is going, making sure we are positioning ourselves for the future.

"We're not looking next year. We're forecasting where FSU is going to be five, 10, 15 years from now and how do we make sure we're doing our due diligence now to position ourselves. Where is college athletics going to be five,10 years from now and making sure this is a part of it. I've got a budget and financial analysis going out to 2043. We hired JP Morgan to come in and look at revenue streams, forecast futures. I love going out and getting the analysts to help."

FSU AD Michael Alford wants Noles to compete at 'very top level'

Alford came off as far less petty discussing FSU leaving the ACC this time around. In early May, he seemingly took a shot at the conference by saying he wants the Noles to be able to compete at the "very top level."

“You’re looking at two institutions that want success and see a changing environment in college and want programs to compete at the very top level," Alford prefaced before saying, "That understands to compete at a top level we need to have our options available and want their programs to compete at an elite national level."

The Big Ten and the SEC, by virtue of winning every non-Clemson and FSU title since 2005, are the "very top level" Alford is looking for. We've all known that, but Alford was gave a corporate answer this time.

Doesn't change the message. It just softens its blow.

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