Clemson denies report that it has been in contact with the SEC

Reports surfaced on Monday that Clemson and Florida State have been in contact with the SEC.

However, Clemson denied those rumblings within a matter of hours. Here’s a statement via The Athletic’s Grace Raynor:

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

This speculation comes on the heels of Texas and Oklahoma deciding to leave the Big 12 for the SEC.

However, everything else about these situations are different. While the Big 12’s Grant of Rights is set to expire in 2025, the ACC’s is locked in until 2036. That would make it prohibitively more difficult (and expensive) to make a move in the short terms.

There’s also less of a need from Clemson and Florida State’s perspective. The ACC generated more tens of millions more in revenue in 2019-20 and has a longterm deal. ESPN was reportedly not interested in negotiating an early extension of its contract with the Big 12 earlier this summer.

Texas and Oklahoma will officially join the Big 12 in July of 2025 unless a settlement is reached prior to that date.