FSU athletic director Michael Alford must wait and see how things play out in the ACC process

On the second day of the ACC spring meetings, Florida State athletic director Michael Alford spoke to reporters at Amelia Park.

Alford was asked about his stance on the ACC and whether the relationship can be resolved after all this.

“Let’s just hope that happens,” Alford told the press. “We have great partners in this conference, great relationships, but at the end of the day, we have to do what’s best for the state of Florida and look at the changing environment of college athletics and make sure we’re there to be successful.”

According to ESPNAlford said there was no tension in the room and the meetings were cordial.

FSU and ACC are in a lawsuit against each other. FSU wants to leave the conference without any exit fees. Judge John C. Cooper ordered mediation within 120 days of ruling that FSU should amend its complaint.

Despite the pending lawsuit, Alford has not ruled out anything about withdrawing from the ACC.

Alford also spoke about Clemson joining the process against ACC. Both FSU and Clemson have filed suit defending their control of media rights with ESPN, which expire in 2036. Clemson athletic director Graham Neff did not speak to the media on Tuesday.

“You’re looking at two institutions that want success and see a changing college environment and want programs to compete at the highest level,” Alford responded. “This understands that to compete at a higher level, we need to have our options available and want their programs to compete at an elite national level.”

The next hearing in Leon County has not yet been scheduled.

covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him by email at PHolland@Gannett.com or at X @_Da_pistol.

This article originally appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat: FSU athletic director Michael Alford gives his thoughts on the ACC process