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TGIF Seminoles!

It’s championship season for some of our Noles and we’re officially in a legal battle with ESPN now. Love is still in the air I suppose.

Here's what's inside:

🏟️ Seminoles Gear Up for Weekend Series Against Western Carolina The FSU baseball team looks to extend their unbeaten streak with a three-game series at home.

🏊‍♂️ Seminoles Dive into Day Three of ACC Championships FSU's swimming and diving teams continue to make waves at the ACC Championships with standout performances.

🏀 Latson's Stellar Performance Leads FSU to Victory Sophomore guard Ta'Niya Latson's scoring spree propels the women's basketball team to their 20th win of the season.

🥎 Seminoles Sweep Under Starlight: Ross Leads FSU to Victory Amaya Ross shines in a doubleheader sweep against FIU, showcasing FSU softball's dominance.

🏃‍♂️ Seminoles Make Their Mark: Day One at ACC Indoor Championships FSU's indoor track and field teams kick off the ACC Championships with promising results.

🌟 Seminoles in the Spotlight: Johnson Eyes Official Visit High-profile recruit Darrell Johnson plans an official visit to FSU, highlighting the Seminoles' strong recruitment efforts.

📺 ESPN Joins ACC Lawsuit Against FSU: A Battle Over Confidentiality and Trade Secrets ESPN steps into the legal fray to support the ACC's motion to seal documents, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality in their media agreement.

🏟️ Seminoles Gear Up for Weekend Series Against Western Carolina

The Florida State baseball team is set to welcome Western Carolina for a three-game series at home, starting this Friday at 5:00 p.m. Riding high from a 7-4 win over Jacksonville, the Seminoles aim to maintain their unbeaten streak early in the season.

📺 Where to Watch and Listen

Catch all the action on ACC Network Extra, with local fans tuning in on WFLA 100.7 FM or globally via the FSU Gameday app.

🗓️ Game Schedule and Pitching Matchups

• Friday, February 23, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.: Sophomore sensation Cam Leiter (1-0, 0.00 ERA) takes the mound against WCU's Spenser Hamblen (1-0, 1.80 ERA).

• Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.: Left-hander Jamie Arnold (1-0, 0.00 ERA) faces off with WCU's Kyle Riesselmann (0-0, 7.20 ERA).

• Sunday, February 25, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.: FSU's starter is TBD, going up against WCU's Cannon Pickell (0-0, 13.50 ERA).

🌟 Seminoles' Pitching Highlights

• Cam Leiter shined in his FSU debut, striking out 13 in five scoreless innings against Butler, earning him multiple National Pitcher of the Week honors.

• Jamie Arnold impressed in his season opener with five innings of shutout ball, striking out nine for his first win.

🏆 Series History

FSU holds a commanding lead in their historical matchups against Western Carolina, with a 4-1 series advantage with their last meeting being in 2002. The Seminoles look to extend their dominance as they face the Catamounts, who come into the series with a 3-1 record after a season-opening sweep of Iona and a recent loss to USC Upstate.

🏊‍♂️ Seminoles Dive into Day Three of ACC Championships

The Florida State swimming and diving teams continued their strong performance at the 2024 ACC Championships, with standout swims and dives marking the day's competition.

🌟 Halden's Historic Swim

Jenny Halden represented in the women's 100 fly, securing an eighth-place finish in her first ACC Championship heat for FSU in this event since 2018, marking a career-best performance.

🏅 Personal Bests and Second Swims

Maddy Huggins and Sydney Cole set personal records in the 400 IM, showcasing the depth of talent within the Seminole squad. Edith Jernstedt and Sophie Freeman also delivered strong performances in the 100 fly, with Jernstedt achieving a season best.

🚀 Ratiu's Rapid Rise

Maysa Ratiu climbed the ranks in the 200 free, improving her time in the finals and demonstrating her prowess as a key relay and individual swimmer for FSU.

🦅 Men's Fly Flyers

Tobias Schulrath and Mason Herbet set personal bests in the men's 100 fly prelims, with Schulrath's time ranking sixth and Herbet's seventh in FSU history.

🏊‍♂️ Quirie Leads in 200 Free

David Quirie led FSU's efforts in the 200 free, placing 13th with a strong showing in both prelims and finals.

🕒 Looking Ahead

Friday's prelims will feature the 200 fly, 100 back, and 100 breast, with women's platform diving and the debut team event also on the schedule, promising another exciting day of competition for the Seminoles.

🌟 Latson's Stellar Performance Leads FSU to Victory

Sophomore guard Ta'Niya Latson's exceptional scoring spree continued, as she dropped 34 points to propel the Florida State Women's Basketball team to an 84-71 win over Boston College, marking their 20th victory of the season.

🏀 A Quarter to Remember

Latson dominated the second quarter, scoring 16 points on near-perfect shooting, showcasing her ability to find and exploit gaps in the Boston College defense with her dynamic play.

📣 Coach Wyckoff's Pride

FSU Head Coach Brooke Wyckoff praised the team's effort and Latson's outstanding individual performance, highlighting the strategic play that led to the win against a formidable ACC opponent.

🏆 ACC Standings and Upcoming Challenges

The win keeps FSU in a strong position within the ACC, setting the stage for a crucial upcoming road game against 20th-ranked Louisville.

🤝 Supporting Cast

While Latson stole the spotlight, contributions from junior forward Makayla Timpson and junior guard O'Mariah Gordon were pivotal, with Timpson nearing another double-double and Gordon adding 15 points.

💪 Dominance in the Paint

The Seminoles excelled inside, tying their season-high with 54 points in the paint and effectively converting turnovers into points, showcasing their offensive versatility and defensive prowess.

🎯 Overcoming Shooting Struggles

Despite a challenging night from beyond the arc, FSU's overall shooting efficiency and defensive effort were enough to secure the win, demonstrating their ability to adapt and overcome.

🌟 Seminoles Sweep Under Starlight: Ross Leads FSU to Victory

In a dazzling display of skill, Amaya Ross led the No. 11 Florida State softball team to a doubleheader sweep against FIU, going 5-for-6 with a home run, two triples, and three RBIs. The Seminoles showcased their prowess, winning 7-3 and 8-1 at JoAnne Graf Field.

🥎 Game One: A Pitching and Hitting Clinic

Makenna Reid's performance on the mound was stellar, allowing just one hit and striking out three in the first two innings. Ross's second-inning home run and a fourth-inning triple catalyzed FSU's offense, propelling them to a 7-3 victory. Jahni Kerr's clutch double and Isa Torres's RBI added to the Seminoles' lead, despite FIU's late run.

⚾ Game Two: Danley and Ross Shine

Ashtyn Danley dominated from the circle, limiting FIU to two hits over five innings. Ross continued her offensive onslaught with a single and a triple, while Michaela Edenfield's two home runs, including a moonshot, underscored FSU's 8-1 triumph. The Seminoles' aggressive base running and strategic hits further dismantled FIU's defense.

📊 Statistical Standouts

• Ross's performance set a new career-high with three hits in game one.

• Edenfield's two homers in game two marked her third multi-home run game.

• FSU's offense was relentless, with Ross's five hits leading the charge.

🏃‍♂️ Seminoles Make Their Mark: Day One at ACC Indoor Championships

The No. 15/NR Florida State indoor track and field teams showcased their talent on the opening day of the 2024 ACC Indoor Track and Field Championships in Boston, setting the stage for a promising weekend of competition.

🏅 Distance and Relay Highlights

Kidus Misgina led the charge in the 5,000-meter, securing seventh place with a time of 13:53.96, while Zach Leachman posted a season-best 14:06.39 for 14th place.

The Seminoles' distance medley relay team, consisting of Patrick Donnelly, Alex Collier, Zach Trotter, and David Mullarkey, clinched sixth place. Their time of 9:40.16 not only contributed valuable points but also etched their names as the fifth fastest in FSU history.

🏃‍♀️ Sprinting to the Finals

Guinove Joanus and Dajaz DeFrand excelled in the 200 preliminaries, with Joanus winning his heat and DeFrand leading the women's field. Both athletes secured their spots in Saturday's finals, showcasing FSU's sprinting prowess.

📣 Coach's Insight

Coach Bob Braman praised the team's performance, highlighting Misgina's impressive showing in his ACC Championship debut and the distance medley relay team's hard-fought race. Braman emphasized the importance of Friday's events as a pivotal day for qualifying and setting up success for the final day of competition.

🌟 Seminoles in the Spotlight: Johnson Eyes Official Visit

Eastman, Georgia's standout athlete Darrell Johnson is setting his sights on a future home, with Florida State among his top considerations. Planning his official visits, Johnson's connection with FSU and Head Coach Mike Norvell highlights a significant moment in his recruitment journey.

✈️ USC Visit Locked In

Johnson has scheduled his first official visit to USC for June 7-9, marking his inaugural trip to Los Angeles. This visit offers him a chance to explore the Big Ten program and what it has to offer on the West Coast.

🍢 Strong Ties with FSU

With over a dozen visits to Tallahassee, Johnson's familiarity with Florida State is profound. His official visit to FSU from June 14-16 underscores the strong bond he shares with Coach Norvell, who has made it clear he sees Johnson as a future Seminole.

🏈 FSU: A Leading Contender

Florida State is considered a frontrunner for Johnson's commitment, with the Seminoles trending in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). Johnson's recruitment remains open, with Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and UCF also in the mix.

🏟️ Standout Performance at UA Next Atlanta Camp

Ranked as the No. 65 overall prospect and No. 5 athlete in the 2025 cycle, Johnson's athleticism and skills were on full display at the recent UA Next Atlanta Camp. His exceptional performance, particularly in linebacker drills, showcased his potential as a dynamic off-ball linebacker, earning high praise for his natural abilities in space and defensive instincts.

🏈 Seminoles on the Recruiting Trail: Eyeing Top Talent Nationwide

FSU is actively engaging with several high-profile recruits, setting the stage for a series of pivotal visits that could shape the Seminoles' future roster. Here's a closer look at the prospects considering FSU and the specific details surrounding their recruitment journeys.

🏈 Nick Townsend: Texas Talent with Eyes on FSU

• Profile: At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Townsend is a dynamic athlete from Spring, Texas, ranked as the No. 4 athlete in Texas and No. 17 overall in the state by 247Sports.

• Visits: Townsend, alongside teammate Tanook Hines, plans to visit FSU as part of a coast-to-coast recruitment tour that includes Cal and USC. These visits are aimed at narrowing down his extensive list of over 30 schools.

• Decision Timeline: Townsend aims to commit before the fall season, focusing on a family-oriented program that resonates with his upbringing.

🏈 Anquon Fegans: Safety with Scheduled Visits

• Profile: The safety from Alabaster, Alabama, is the No. 3 safety in his class, known for his admiration of Clemson's family-like culture and Georgia's hard-nosed coaching.

• Official Visits: Fegans has locked in official visits to Clemson in early June, Georgia on June 14, and Washington later that month, with FSU among the other contenders.

• Recruitment Focus: Fegans values a program's culture and coaching style, with a keen interest in how a team can support his future on and off the field.

🏈 DJ Pickett: Florida's Premier Athlete

• Profile: As the No. 1 player in Florida and No. 7 prospect overall, Pickett's recruitment is highly watched. He has scheduled official visits to LSU, Georgia, Miami, and Oregon, with FSU still in contention.

• Spring Visits: Pickett plans to attend spring practices at both Florida and FSU, indicating an open door for the Seminoles to make a significant impression.

• Recruitment Strategy: Pickett's father emphasizes a thorough evaluation process, including game environment experiences, before making a commitment decision.

🏈 Darrell Johnson: Versatile Defender with FSU in Mind

• Profile: Johnson, from Eastman, Georgia, is ranked as the No. 33 overall prospect and No. 4 linebacker in the 2025 class.

• Official Visits: He has scheduled an official visit to FSU for June 14, alongside visits to Alabama, Texas A&M, Georgia, Auburn, and USC, highlighting his broad interest spectrum.

• Early Impact: Johnson seeks a program where he can make an immediate difference, with a preseason decision planned to focus on his senior year.

🏈 Max Buchanan: Offensive Lineman Exploring Options

• Profile: Buchanan, a 6-foot-4, 275-pound lineman from Sanford, Florida, has a packed schedule with official visits to UCF, Clemson, Florida, Miami, and Penn State, and is coordinating one with FSU.

• Unofficial Visit: He plans an unofficial visit to FSU on March 22, demonstrating the Seminoles' continued appeal to top offensive line prospects.

• Recruitment Journey: Buchanan's extensive visit schedule, including trips to Texas and Texas A&M, showcases his methodical approach to finding the right collegiate fit.

📺 ESPN Joins ACC Lawsuit Against FSU: A Battle Over Confidentiality and Trade Secrets

ESPN has officially intervened in the ongoing legal battle between the ACC and Florida State University's Board of Trustees, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of its media agreement with the ACC.

🔏 Key Points from ESPN's Legal Filing:

• Trade Secrets at Stake: ESPN's filing highlights the sensitive nature of the financial and non-financial terms within the agreements, describing them as "textbook trade secrets." The network expresses concern that public disclosure could disadvantage ESPN in future negotiations with rights holders.

• ESPN's Confidentiality Measures: The network outlines the steps it takes to protect the confidentiality of its agreements, including internal safeguards and contractual confidentiality clauses. ESPN's stance is that these documents should not be made public due to their proprietary content.

• FSU's Legal Challenge: At the core of FSU's lawsuit is the accusation that the ACC, under former commissioner John Swofford, did not act in the best interest of its member schools in its dealings with ESPN. FSU points to alleged "self-dealing" and discrepancies in the terms provided to the ACC compared to those given to other conferences like the SEC.

• Public Records Debate: ESPN counters FSU's argument that the documents have become public records under Florida law, suggesting that the disclosure of these documents could constitute a felony due to the exposure of trade secrets.

• Implications for Future Negotiations: The outcome of this legal dispute could have far-reaching implications for how collegiate athletic conferences and their member schools negotiate media rights agreements in the future. ESPN's involvement underscores the high stakes for all parties involved.

As the lawsuit progresses, the focus on confidentiality, trade secrets, and the legal obligations of public institutions versus private entities will continue to be a central theme.

This case not only impacts the immediate parties but also sets a precedent for the intersection of sports, media rights, and legal confidentiality in the collegiate athletics landscape.

And that’s a wrap!

We hope you enjoyed the journey through the latest Seminoles' athletics highlights, recruitment buzz, and the intriguing legal battle involving ESPN.

Stay tuned for more updates, stories, and Seminoles' successes in our next edition and enjoy your Friday!

Go Noles!