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SaveFSUFootball.com seeks $25.5 million for Norvell buyout

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 8:02 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

FSU Fans Fund

Fans of Florida State University launched SaveFSUFootball.com to raise half of coach Mike Norvell’s buyout.
Norvell’s contract buyout is reported at $49 million by one source and $51 million by others.
The campaign seeks $25.5 million from 250,000 donors each giving $102.
The website currently displays a “coming soon” notice and does not accept donations.
Analyst Pete Nakos estimated roughly $100 million is needed for the buyout, staff and roster.

Summary

Norvell’s Buyout

Mike Norvell’s buyout would rank as the third-largest in college-football history, behind Jimbo Fisher and Brian Kelly.
He signed a contract extension through 2031, with salary rising to $11.05 million per year by that season.
Norvell’s record at Florida State is 39-35 overall and 8-18 over his last three seasons.
Athletic director Michael Alford, who hired Norvell, faces calls for his departure after fans mocked a pre-game power outage.

History

Historical Context

When Texas A&M hired Jim Fisher in December 2017, it signed him to a 10-year, $75 million contract—the largest in college football at the time. That landmark deal set a precedent that later led Florida State AD Michael Alford to approve a similarly massive buyout for Mike Norvell, sparking donor-fatigue worries and calls for tighter NCAA financial oversight.

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FSU Fans Fund

Fans of Florida State University launched SaveFSUFootball.com to raise half of coach Mike Norvell’s buyout.
Norvell’s contract buyout is reported at $49 million by one source and $51 million by others.
The campaign seeks $25.5 million from 250,000 donors each giving $102.
The website currently displays a “coming soon” notice and does not accept donations.
Analyst Pete Nakos estimated roughly $100 million is needed for the buyout, staff and roster.

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