Clemson, FSU Aim to Leave ACC: Lawsuits Shake College Sports

In a move that could potentially reshape the landscape of college sports, Clemson University has filed a lawsuit against the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) over the conference’s exit fees and media rights policies. This lawsuit comes hot on the heels of a similar legal action initiated by Florida State University in December 2022, signaling that the ACC’s two premier football programs are seeking a way out of the conference.

The crux of Clemson’s lawsuit revolves around challenging the ACC’s “grant of rights” agreement, which essentially gives the conference control over member schools’ media rights even after they leave the league. Clemson argues that this interpretation is “nonsensical” and “inconsistent with the plain language of that agreement.” Additionally, the university is seeking to have the ACC’s exit fee, estimated to be around $140 million, declared “unenforceable” and a violation of public policy.

This legal battle is not just about conference allegiances; it’s about money – big money. The recent announcement of a staggering $7.8 billion deal between the College Football Playoff (CFP) and ESPN has further exacerbated the financial disparity between the ACC and the powerhouse conferences of the Big Ten and the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Under the new deal, which kicks in from 2026, each Big Ten and SEC team is projected to earn more than $21 million annually, dwarfing the ACC’s estimated $13 million per school.

Clemson, a perennial powerhouse in college football with two national championships in the past decade, argues that the ACC’s current television contract is hindering its ability to “compete at the highest level.” The Tigers, along with Florida State, have been the only ACC representatives in the CFP over the past 10 years, underscoring their dominance within the conference.

The lawsuits filed by Clemson and Florida State are not merely isolated incidents; they are indicative of a larger trend sweeping through college sports. The seismic shifts triggered by the recent realignment of conferences, such as the impending move of Oklahoma and Texas to the SEC, have set off a chain reaction of schools exploring their options in pursuit of more lucrative television deals and greater exposure.

While neither Clemson nor Florida State has explicitly stated their intention to join another conference, the Big Ten and the SEC are widely speculated to be the most likely destinations for these powerhouse programs. However, the interest level of these conferences in adding new members remains uncertain, as the legal proceedings unfold.

The fallout from these lawsuits could have far-reaching implications for the ACC and its remaining members. If Clemson and Florida State successfully navigate their way out of the conference, it could leave the ACC in a precarious position, potentially prompting other high-profile programs like North Carolina and Virginia to explore their options as well.

As the legal battles rage on, one thing is clear: the pursuit of money and resources in college sports is reaching unprecedented heights. The allure of the massive television deals offered by the Big Ten and the SEC is proving too tempting for some schools to ignore, even if it means severing long-standing conference ties.

The outcomes of these lawsuits will not only shape the future of the ACC but could also set precedents for how future conference realignments unfold. In the high-stakes world of college sports, where financial considerations often trump tradition and loyalty, the decisions made by Clemson, Florida State, and their counterparts in other conferences will echo for years to come.