Clemson University has initiated legal action against the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) by filing a lawsuit in Pickens County, South Carolina. The lawsuit challenges the ACC's grant of media rights and the enforceability of its withdrawal fees, marking Clemson as the second institution following Florida State University to take such a step against the conference. Clemson's legal argument centers on the claim that the ACC's control over the media rights of its member schools should only apply while those schools are members of the conference. Furthermore, Clemson contends that the ACC's withdrawal penalty, reportedly $140 million, is exorbitantly high compared to other conferences, describing it as 'unconscionable, unenforceable, and in violation of public policy.' This legal move comes amid broader discussions within collegiate athletics about conference memberships and media rights, highlighting Clemson's desire to explore its options regarding conference membership without the constraints imposed by the ACC's current policies.
Clemson sues ACC over 'unconscionable' fees to exit conference https://t.co/sgAEULFJcF
Clemson University on Tuesday sued the Atlantic Coast Conference in South Carolina state court, alleging that the conference is hindering its ability to explore alternative options regarding conference membership. https://t.co/As9AHBkmVl
Clemson joins Florida State, becomes second school to sue ACC as it seeks to exit conference https://t.co/xo2idFxNUd
EXPLAINED: Why Is Clemson University Suing The Atlantic Coast Conference? https://t.co/hK926eQ3t8
Like Florida State, Clemson is suing to get out of its deal with the ACC - saying the terms it agreed to are “exorbitant.” The ACC says its lawyers will “vigorously” enforce the agreement. https://t.co/ApkJFoEB9i
Here’s our @SportsCenter analysis w/@elleduncanESPN of what the Clemson lawsuit means for college sports. With both FSU and Clemson attempting to become free agents, what’s next? https://t.co/Dbc8pTZ3Qb
Clemson joins Florida State, becomes second school to sue ACC as it seeks to exit conference. https://t.co/CtfDNcnpvS
ACC statement on Clemson suing to leave https://t.co/8AcBemTlF0
Clemson’s Lawsuit Turns Up the Heat on an ACC Already in Hot Water https://t.co/mwbwTo751a
Clemson sues ACC, challenging obligation to honor ESPN TV deal https://t.co/AC6TWoLqWh https://t.co/FbDCxJrr4d
I'm not going to pretend to know how this will play out legally, but this article gives a great overview of where things stand at the moment. Probably not ideal that two of the ACC's schools are suing it, but a legal fight was inevitable. https://t.co/Hz4RUyh07m
And it's worth repeating something I've been told by people wiser than I: Litigation rarely goes to trial. There is usually a settlement. Almost certainly, FSU and Clemson are leaving the ACC. It's just a question of a negotiated exit fee (with the courts serving as leverage). https://t.co/hhCTMExxk5
Explained: Clemson vs. ACC exit fees lawsuit - via @ADavidHaleJoint https://t.co/ttu2GczrJ7
Last time I was in Tallahassee, FSU filed suit against the ACC. Today I’m in Tallahassee for the first day of spring football, and Clemson filed suit against the ACC. An inevitable moment … https://t.co/GZuMDRbVIq
Clemson University filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Atlantic Coast Conference over its grant of media rights deal. https://t.co/12wSTzcuhk
Clemson joins FSU in suing ACC, eyes potential exit. 👀 https://t.co/3DPuQIZpp3 https://t.co/swem7nzJ49
ACC statement on today’s filing by Clemson: https://t.co/fDnldJlGpL
The ACC has responded to Clemson, saying it will: "vigorously enforce the agreement and bylaws in the best interests of the ACC’s current and incoming members." https://t.co/v1zlXZyifx
Here’s the ACC Statement. No surpirse here. “Clemson agreed to the process and procedures for withdrawal.” And they will be “vigorously enforced.” https://t.co/OrPvrVPUmh
ACC's statement on today's complaint filed against the league by Clemson. https://t.co/1nmiY0jMY3
ACC statement in response to @ClemsonUniv news today … https://t.co/3w1fL6XkYz
ACC reacts to Clemson’s filing today. https://t.co/vwBUtF5kwQ
ACC Statement on Clemson’s lawsuit: https://t.co/JRS4OU5gkv
ACC statement from commissioner Jim Phillips in response to Clemson’s lawsuit today. Less fiery than his statement after FSU suit (perhaps because of approach?), but reiterates: “Clemson agreed to the process and procedures” that it is now challenging in court https://t.co/lkN9GnMKNn
Statement from ACC commissioner Jim Phillips and board of directors chair Jim Ryan on Clemson’s lawsuit: https://t.co/2dNNVDYeuQ
Statement from the ACC on Clemson’s lawsuit. https://t.co/gR8VYxcEP7
ACC statement on Clemson's lawsuit. https://t.co/fIUQHTNjRE
The ACC believes its grant of rights tie member schools' media rights to the league well into the next decade. Clemson argues, if the Tigers leave the ACC, the GoR will only apply to rebroadcasting games from when they were in the ACC. The battle begins. https://t.co/ahI2nKqocq
Clemson confirmed its status with the ACC after filing a lawsuit against the league https://t.co/y6uKWaq4pf
This is interesting. Clemson is saying the ACC is hurting Clemson's brand and ability to talk to other conferences about "potential future collaborations." That's a back door to the same goal as FSU at first glance. https://t.co/TPzflgBDoc
Clemson sued the Atlantic Coast Conference in a South Carolina court on Tuesday, joining Florida State in challenging the league's right to charge schools hundreds of millions of dollars to leave. https://t.co/7m4tLFkzxY
Clemson has filed a lawsuit against the ACC, a move that could signal a potential exit from the league. The lawsuit is the second filed against the conference recently, as Florida State filed in late December. https://t.co/wYccRO0oVq
Clemson vs. ACC exit fees lawsuit explained - via @ESPN App https://t.co/ZO6qNCDPKG
A @BobFerrante breakdown of Clemson's lawsuit filed today against the ACC and what it means with the FSU-ACC lawsuit location decision in North Carolina looming. https://t.co/A6bJZxrxNJ
Clemson files legal complaint against ACC over grant of rights, withdrawal fee https://t.co/JRBtFBfkQ3
Clemson has released a statement in the wake of its filing against the ACC, stating it remains a member of the conference. More: https://t.co/CpwmWpCW9a https://t.co/OSbygsUycv
Clemson has released the following statement re: today's lawsuit making clear it "has not given notice that it is exiting the ACC..." Here's the full statement: https://t.co/6JwLfDbCy6
Clemson statement on today’s lawsuit v. the ACC. For emphasis: “Clemson has not given notice that it is exiting the ACC and remains a member of the conference.” https://t.co/nC0hr9Ekth
Just got a formal statement from Clemson athletics on today's lawsuit filed against the ACC ... Important to note the last line: "Clemson has not given notice that it is exiting the ACC and remains a member of the conference" at this point https://t.co/Qn52dlKSwS
"Clemson has not given notice that it is exiting the ACC and remains a member of the conference." Full statement from the school: https://t.co/67cYc6JElO
Clemson statement on its lawsuit versus the ACC. https://t.co/gmFJRtxyyP
statement from Clemson which includes this: "Clemson has not given notice that it is exiting the ACC and remains a member of the conference." https://t.co/HpU62A8Wqe
The ACC has another lawsuit on its hands.... Story on Clemson's filing today with some explanation of what's being argued and what it means for the involved parties https://t.co/BgGh4ZcAso
As I sift through Clemson's lawsuit, it seems its argument is a bit more succinct than FSU's. Exit fee is exorbitantly high,should be struck down. GOR only covers rights while school is IN the ACC. Once it leaves the ACC - by whatever means - the rights go back to the school.
Clemson is asking the court to rule it is not required to pay an exit fee and it does not owe fiduciary duties to the ACC. "The ACC has cast a harmful cloud of doubt on Clemson’s ability to engage in meaningful discussions with other conferences." Read: https://t.co/RErrl55qXH https://t.co/881uAs4okJ
Clemson Follows Florida State In Suing ACC Over Media Rights https://t.co/yIY44m1xZh (via: @SportBeatTweet)
Clemson has joined FSU in suing the ACC, taking another swing at toppling the league's supposed ironclad Grant of Rights. For all of FSU's bellyaching, Clemson is the program that has set the standard in the ACC and would be a devastating loss https://t.co/KHtx6DJfmg
The ACC has another lawsuit on its hands.... Story on Clemson's filing today with some explanation of what's being argue and what it means for the involved parties https://t.co/BgGh4ZcAso
NEWS: Clemson became the second ACC member to take legal action against the conference in hopes of potentially getting out of it. More from @ChrisVannini ⤵️ https://t.co/J573PYTvtu https://t.co/sz2RezsFI8
Clemson is taking aim at the ACC Grant of Rights in a lawsuit, following Florida State’s lead https://t.co/lE2qqXS9Gd
Basically, the ACC believes its GoR controls a school's broadcast rights "regardless" of whether they are in the conference or not. Clemson is arguing, if they leave the ACC, the "regardless" clause only applies to rebroadcasting games from when they were in the ACC. https://t.co/XoKhOLIgY9
Story on Clemson filing a legal challenge against the ACC over the grant of rights and the exit fee. It's a big deal, but it'll take time. It's also a little different than Florida State's challenge. More: https://t.co/TwCDxxAwDM https://t.co/TwCDxxAwDM
NEW: With the new Clemson lawsuit filed today, the ACC is now facing multiple current schools trying to invalidate the contracts holding the conference together. The ACC is now embroiled in a legal battle for its own survival. https://t.co/UU2Q9da5nH
One of the main arguments in Clemson's suit against the ACC is that schools aren't actually tied to the ESPN agreement if they leave the conference. The complaint then blacks out the actual wording of the ESPN agreement. But Clemson's lawyers have the wording, obviously. https://t.co/u11QCeqkVU
One of the main arguments in Clemson's suit against the ACC is that schools aren't actually tied to the ESPN agreement if they leave the conference. The complain then blacks out what the actual agreement says. https://t.co/vVJGAmabTI
Clemson joins FSU in suing ACC over “fatally detrimental” actions https://t.co/mRzKgdEQss
Clemson joins Florida State, becomes second school to sue ACC as it seeks to exit conference (from @AP) https://t.co/OB7kPltBFr
Here's our quick @ESPN story on Clemson's lawsuit against the ACC, which marks another significant day amid the rapidly changing landscape of college sports. https://t.co/mP1Dcy0IxN
Clemson joins Florida State looking to exit ACC as latest school to file lawsuit over Grant of Rights https://t.co/kYqeTqwiAW
Clemson joining FSU https://t.co/p17hBHOzDm
Clemson's lawsuit against the ACC is different than Florida State's, and not just in legal approach and tenor. This is one of the league's seven charter members looking to escape after 71 years.
Clemson has filed a lawsuit challenging the ACC’s grant of rights. They want out of the ACC just like FSU does. Here’s the lawsuit: https://t.co/jroXoeQbaz
UPDATED story on Clemson suing the ACC. https://t.co/suGc7CueER
About the lawsuit, it was important that Clemson kept this quiet and didn't give the ACC a chance to file first. The case will be heard here and not on Tobacco Rd.
Hope to have a lot more on Clemson joining FSU in suing the ACC, but a few quick items it's worth mentioning right off the top... 🧵
At least Clemson waited until a terrific ACC tournament, one of the best in memory, was over to file its lawsuit against the league. Seems like a pretty weak case given how inevitable this was but we're all just haggling over price now.
Here's the latest we've gathered on Clemson's lawsuit against the ACC: https://t.co/mSOYdYWUHe
"In short, it was not "necessary for the Conference to perform [its] ... contractual obligations" under the ESPN Agreements that Clemson convey its media rights to the ACC for games played if and when Clemson is no longer a member of the ACC." If and when. https://t.co/pYmY5fJ9m3
Clemson SUES the ACC | What happens next? https://t.co/7ICbgUnXC4
Sir, a second lawsuit has hit the ACC. https://t.co/J7GClTcCZ0
Clemson contends that the ACC's exit fee - $140 million - is absurdly high compared to other conferences and goes on to list the other exit fees. https://t.co/a8I6hLcojE
FSU and Clemson teaming up to destroy the ACC: https://t.co/YbAVCTYNfg
More details on Clemson's lawsuit against the ACC https://t.co/m2XVddkjj3
Another team joins #FSU in lawsuit with #ACC. https://t.co/Ct2EnK3lkj
My personal favorite parts of Clemson's lawsuit against the ACC https://t.co/MxP6HnLoU9
Just filed a piece on Clemson's lawsuit that should be up soon. Stay tuned to https://t.co/pU2IPrM4aR. Plenty more to come on this massive story.
Clemson v ACC. https://t.co/eGMRHdrOXj
In Clemson's claim, lots of redaction under the header: "Rights Actually Granted by Clemson: What Do the ESPN Agreements Say?" https://t.co/uk7wjJWPfY
"This public misconception regarding Clemson's media rights interferes with Clemson's pursuit of opportunities with other collegiate conferences." https://t.co/YXJqcbHdwD
Clemson and Florida State teaming up to destroy the ACC https://t.co/mggfrFBxGW
Clemson has sued the ACC. 👀 https://t.co/tO0XcBcvMe https://t.co/KWnaMtIKdy
The nuts and bolts of Clemson's lawsuit against the ACC. Clemson is claiming: 1. The ACC has not adhered to the original scope of the Grant of Rights 2. The financial penalty for leaving the conference is "exorbitant" with details about how it is inherently different than other… https://t.co/VryiERlPIR
Of note (maybe): Clemson says in its lawsuit that it has not "ever authorized" the ACC's suit against FSU. https://t.co/pYmY5fJ9m3
Here's the close of Clemson's lawsuit, which sums up what they are asking for. https://t.co/e9aHHMHjms
Clemson says the the ACC withdrawal penalty is "unconscionable, unenforceable, and in violation of public policy, especially when sought to be imposed on a public university like Clemson." https://t.co/cKr59neNsM
Clemson is a member of the ACC. Therefore, the ACC's media rights deal applies to Clemson. Clemson's lawsuit against the ACC essentially asks this very important question ... https://t.co/s1M84TKSR1
Clemson wants the Court to rule that: (1) the ACC does not own the broadcasting rights to its games after it *leaves* the league (2) it is not required to pay the exit fee (3) it owes no other fiduciary duties to the conference https://t.co/lS66uu10DW
Here's what Clemson is asking of court. Translated to Layman's terms: "Please make it easier to leave the ACC." https://t.co/iSxMc47Edr
Clemson with old "So, what if we WEREN'T in the ACC" question in its freshly filed lawsuit against the ACC. https://t.co/VpQgtVH1KS
"(C)ollegiate athletics is at a crossroads," Clemson writes in its lawsuit against the ACC. A teensy bit of an understatement https://t.co/pYmY5fJ9m3
In court documents, Clemson claims that "the ACC did not hold a vote requesting that its members, including Clemson, approve of the lawsuit against Florida State. Nor has Clemson ever authorized the ACC's lawsuit against Florida State." Clemson is on Team Florida State.
Additionally, Clemson has filed a motion to seal its initial complaint v. the ACC, citing the conference's claims v. Florida State for breaching confidentiality obligations with the ACC's ESPN agreement. (The ESPN portions of Clemson's initial suit are largely redacted.) https://t.co/fwXsfqUaN6
Also included in the Clemson lawsuit is a breakdown of exit fees in other conferences. As Florida State did, Clemson is basically arguing the ACC's withdrawal fee is exorbitant and excessive. https://t.co/ChDt1ZITw7
News: Clemson has filed a lawsuit against the ACC to find out whether its Grant of Rights (huge exit fee, media rights ownership, etc) is enforceable. The news comes just four months after FSU filed a lawsuit against the conference in an attempt to depart. Story TK
Here's Clemson's argument on keeping its rights after leaving the conference. https://t.co/Q0rZ5foCTa
Clemson to the ACC in court documents: You are hindering our ability to leave your conference. https://t.co/r0YuAVigTH
Clemson is joining Florida State in taking the ACC to court over its Grant of Rights contract. https://t.co/HyESr1rw0T
"Before filing its original complaint and commencing the lawsuit against Florida State, the ACC did not hold a vote requesting that its members, including Clemson, approve of the lawsuit against Florida State. Nor has Clemson ever authorized the ACC's lawsuit against Florida… https://t.co/Yx6ozdfNp5
Here's the crux of Clemson's argument: https://t.co/UMMHFNEpJD
Clemson notes that it did not authorize the ACC's lawsuit against Florida State.
Interesting piece to the Clemson lawsuit: It's basically arguing the Grant of Rights shouldn't mean the ACC owns its rights if they were to leave the league. The thought has been if XYZ school leaves the league, the ACC would own that school's rights through 2036. https://t.co/6l4fW5Gsy1
Clemson has filed a lawsuit against the ACC, challenging its grant of rights. Joining Florida State's lawsuit, it's an initial legal step in potentially leaving the conference. https://t.co/00L1jYXG3k
#TCU gets a shoutout in the lawsuit filed by Clemson against the ACC this morning. https://t.co/ADBQyUYYcv
In its legal filing, Clemson argues that "the ACC's actions interfere with Clemson's free exercise of its rights and are fatally detrimental to Clemson's efforts to ensure that its athletic programs can continue to compete at the highest level."
Quick story: Clemson sues ACC, following FSU's lead. Of note: The ACC had a regular meeting scheduled today, per previous court docs in one of the other lawsuits. Buckle up, y'all. https://t.co/pYmY5fJ9m3
Clemson University vs. Atlantic Coast Conference Filed today in Pickens County, SC Calls the ACC's grant of rights/exit fees "unconscionable" and says they hinder Clemson's "ability to meaningfully explore its options regarding conference membership" https://t.co/vysGkckPkD
Clemson is expected to issue a statement today as well.
Clemson has filed a lawsuit against the ACC in Pickens County, South Carolina. You can read the filing here: https://t.co/CmqJjdKBru
Why is Clemson doing this? "The ACC's actions interfere with Clemson's free exercise of its rights and are fatally detrimental to Clemson's efforts to ensure that its athletic programs can continue to compete at the highest level, which is critically important to Clemson even…
Clemson in its lawsuit v. the ACC states: "That the Withdrawal Penalty is not a predetermined measure of compensation for actual damages is plainly illustrated by the fact that Notre Dame, whose prominent football team does not compete in the ACC, would be required to pay the…
It has been no secret that Clemson's lawyers have been examining the ACC's grant of rights for years & preparing for a legal challenge similar to Florida State's. Clemson has just been operating more behind-the-scenes than FSU.
Clemson's focus appears a bit more narrow than FSU. They want the rights to their games *after* leaving the ACC. The grant of rights has always been understood that the rights to games stay, even if a team leaves. https://t.co/warvxf758g
Just at first glance, Clemson is making a slightly different argument than FSU. They're arguing the GOR only applies while the school is still a member of the ACC, shouldn't carry over if they leave. https://t.co/Kgo5F4lL6G
Will update throughout the day, but initial story on Clemson suing the ACC over its grant of rights. https://t.co/riSujfBPZi
As expected, Clemson is pointing to the media rights gap as part of the lawsuit filed against the ACC. No secret the Big Ten and SEC dwarf the rest of the enterprise in media rights dollars https://t.co/fZrEjbhiqM
The heart of Clemson's suit is here: "Clemson's ability to meaningfully explore its options regarding conference membership..." is inhibited by the ACC asserting it owns all of the media rights of ACC institutions. https://t.co/hcEFUUxKmx
Report: Clemson files suit against ACC in South Carolina, joining FSU in legal battle against conference https://t.co/VUcEczf0n6
Clemson is arguing that the ACC owns the media rights of its schools while they are in its league only: https://t.co/tn06kuXpGN
What a line to kick things off: The ACC's Grant of Rights "hinders Clemson's ability to meaningfully explore its options regarding conference membership." https://t.co/e8nckG2l7T
News: Clemson has filed a lawsuit against the ACC in Pickens County. Make that two lawsuits against the ACC from member institutions... Full complaint below: https://t.co/61TcmRyMah
On the Grant of Rights, Clemson "disagrees with the ACC’s characterization of the rights granted, and it contends that an examination of the purportedly confidential ESPN Agreements will refute the ACC’s publicly stated position and support Clemson’s requested declaratory… https://t.co/dzleJhb7JS
NEWS: Clemson is suing the ACC over the ACC Grant of Rights and enforceability of its withdrawal fees. Related, Florida State and ACC having a hearing this week. https://t.co/PWwrXnkycc
News: Clemson has filed a lawsuit against the ACC in Pickens County, South Carolina, challenging the league's grant of rights which "hinders Clemson's ability to meaningfully explore its options regarding conference membership."
Mere days before the decision on whether the FSU-ACC lawsuit will be settled in North Carolina or elsewhere, Clemson has joined the party. https://t.co/zhKoR6aN4k
Mere days before the decision on whether the FSU-ACC lawsuit settled in North Carolina or not, Clemson has joined the party. https://t.co/zhKoR6aN4k
So it begins.... Clemson is suing the ACC https://t.co/AKgJTm78xe
NEWS: Clemson has filed a lawsuit against the ACC, @PeteNakos_ reports. The conference is now facing lawsuits from Florida State and the Tigers👀 https://t.co/z1D5qf3p3l https://t.co/gWAT0LYdrf
According to Pickens County (S.C.) court records, Clemson has filed suit against the ACC, becoming the second school to sue the conference in the past four months. https://t.co/9JpOTnMChm
NEWS: Clemson has filed a lawsuit against the ACC in South Carolina. I'm reading it now. https://t.co/D1GNOVYCLr
Source confirms @LarryWilliamsTI report that Clemson has filed a lawsuit in Pickens County against the ACC. Another school taking a step toward leaving the conference.
As many expected to happen, Clemson joins Florida State in filing a lawsuit against the ACC in a likely initial step to exiting the conference. We wrote briefly about it two weeks ago in the below story https://t.co/uD8HXYlkxv https://t.co/OqtHaQ2cC0
Can confirm that Clemson has filed a lawsuit against the Atlantic Coast Conference in Pickens County Court. Buckle up.
Clemson has filed a lawsuit against the ACC in Pickens County, South Carolina, according to court records. Now the second lawsuit against the ACC. https://t.co/xcXsfZYrky
As reported by @LarryWilliamsTI, can confirm via online court records that Clemson University filed a lawsuit against the ACC today in Pickens County.
Clemson has filed against the ACC in Pickens County, South Carolina, a source confirms to ESPN. This is the second lawsuit that the ACC faces, as Florida State and the ACC currently have dueling lawsuits.
🚨🚨🚨 BREAKING: Clemson has filed its lawsuit against the ACC in Pickens County. Much more through the day at https://t.co/pU2IPrM4aR.