While neither Florida State nor the Big 12 have said anything definitive about the possibility of Seminoles joining the Big 12, that all could soon change as the Big 12 holds its annual meetings this week in Kansas City, Missouri.
As reported by Jim Lamar of the Tallahassee Democrat:
"We have not heard a thing and we have not approached them and they have not approached us," said Andy Haggard, the chair of FSU's Board of Trustees. "If anybody approaches us, we are certainly going to listen to them. We have an obligation to Florida State to listen. You can't close the door."
Lamar says that the financial incentives of a move to the Big 12 could be appealing to Florida State, whose 2012-13 athletic department budget contains a $2.4-million shortfall. FSU's athletic department is also unlikely to balance the 2011-12 budget, according to Lamar. Two months ago, Sports Business Journal reported that the new Big 12 television contract would pay members $20 million annually. However, no deal has been announced.
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