Florida State University (FSU) has filed a lawsuit against the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), challenging the ACC's media rights management, 'draconian' exit fees, and the recent expansion that includes the additions of Cal, Stanford, and SMU. FSU's Board of Trustees, which unanimously voted to sue, argues that the ACC's decisions have diminished its football media profile and undermined the ACC's strength of schedule potential. The lawsuit, a 38-page legal filing, also addresses the ACC's grant of rights deal with ESPN, which FSU contends is detrimental to their long-term competitive viability and revenue generation. FSU's legal action, originally planned for early 2024, was reportedly accelerated by a snub from the College Football Playoff selection committee. In response, the ACC, through commissioner Jim Phillips, has defended the grant of rights deal, highlighting that the ACC won the most national championships of any conference over the last 2.5 years, and filed a preemptive lawsuit in North Carolina, asserting the contract's validity and enforceability. The legal battle could have significant implications for the future of FSU and the ACC, with a potential exit fee of over $500 million at stake if FSU leaves before 2036. The lawsuit contains dubious references and challenges the withdrawal penalties as FSU argues it gave its notice to leave on Aug. 14, 2023. The ACC has also released a scathing statement and emphasized its achievements in non-revenue sports and GPA improvements. FSU's lawsuit questions the legal viability of the ACC's grant of rights and alleges antitrust and breach of contract, suggesting that FSU's potential exit could speed up college football's transformation into an NFL-lite structure and is a response to a 'deteriorating' media deal.
FSU is suing the ACC instead of looking in the mirror and taking responsibility for its own decisions. Here's my column on the groundbreaking #FSU lawsuit against the #ACC: (Click on the photo to read: https://t.co/ZX6uziv3vj
Florida State is ready to do anything to leave the ACC, no matter the cost. ⬇️ https://t.co/a1vGHEVNa4
Florida State’s messy attempt at exiting the ACC, explained https://t.co/v15upE9TqW
FSU is suing the ACC instead of looking in the mirror and taking responsibility | Commentary https://t.co/Fh42AyIs9p
Several ACC schools are expected to follow Florida State and file lawsuits against the conference. If the lawsuits are successful, the Grant of Rights will be nullified & every ACC program will be free to leave. (via @GSwaim) #NFL #ACC #FloridaState #Seminoles https://t.co/7REReAOj6p
Oregon State baseball looking hard at playing as an independent and piecing together a good schedule (ie: Stanford, Cal, ASU, UCLA, Arizona, Oregon, top WCC schools, etc). Washington State baseball not likely a candidate for independent schedule, per sources. Think the two…
Florida State's lawsuit spectacle was full of bluster, but Seminoles' eventual exit from ACC is inevitable - https://t.co/Do0GY2YbwU https://t.co/O6grXBz5IW
Most wins by ACC programs (last 5 years) 1. Clemson 60 2. Pitt 41 3. Wake 38 ---- 8. FSU 29 The ACC didn't let FSU down. FSU let the ACC down.
The Big 12? Life as an independent? Several options remain on the table as Oregon State and Washington State seek a new home. https://t.co/f1WsOJWldG
Why does FSU wants to leave the ACC? Explaining Florida State’s beef with the conference https://t.co/nYAI6jSFye
#Florida State Board of Trustees approves lawsuit against ACC https://t.co/mZy6jWI2v6 via @Ehsan_Kassim
I figured I was pretty seasoned in delusion having dealt with Big 3 twitter, but Cal and Stanford fans getting mad because FSU said they do not add monetary value to their new conference was something I didn’t see coming.
Georgia Tech left the SEC because they weren’t serious enough about sports (real), and just beat the 2017 co-National Champs. The ACC reestablished itself as the nation’s premier athletic conference, and FSU is expected to sign a 100-year grant of rights tomorrow.
Florida State is suing the ACC to get out of the grant of rights, and the ACC is suing to say FSU can't challenge the GOR. What to know from a wild day: https://t.co/tPRMBBKGCo https://t.co/tPRMBBKGCo
'Left no choice': FSU suing ACC over exit fee - via @ESPN App https://t.co/58Qp3JsXJK
Look, it’s impossible for Florida State to be competitive with the ACC financial share https://t.co/TBtXW2QOgx
Mixed feelings about the FSU-ACC deal but if it is so expensive to leave the ACC I’m not sure why FSU agreed to that to begin with. Seems like a costly mistake.
My @SportsCenter hit with @elleduncanESPN on the future of FSU and the ACC. A year of rhetoric collided with actions on Friday. What’s next? https://t.co/bzzxyDvwVh
What’s next for FSU and the ACC? Who could join them? How long could all this play out? The @CollegeGameDay Podcast breaks down FSU. @StanfordSteve82 and I also pick all the bowl games this weekend. Who is playing? Who is motivated? https://t.co/yJ9JMaucSS
Exit strategy: Florida State board votes to sue ACC https://t.co/1Yj6oF5Gm4 https://t.co/Po9dcCDhIG
Florida State files suit against ACC over exit fee and grant of rights https://t.co/jLtLsmp28J
FSU and ACC have filed for divorce, but what are the terms, and how might this affect #Hokies and #UVa? ⬇️ https://t.co/2zEXMdm9B2
Florida State blows up Cal, Stanford in fiery ACC lawsuit https://t.co/MXNXWUacWy
FSU v ACC. Or ACC v FSU. Two filings in two courts in two states with only half a billion dollars and the stability of the entire college football landscape at stake. Updated story: https://t.co/h5ulezfvTY
Clemson UNC and NC State when FSU suggested they all jump in on this lawsuit https://t.co/EO9R5dOgz7
“Today we’ve reached a crossroad in our relationship with the ACC.” Florida State sues the Atlantic Coast Conference. https://t.co/GgBj8PjudV
Duped, Incompetence, and Secrecy: Key points and counts from FSU's complaint in lawsuit against the ACC https://t.co/6wqG82MMk4
Florida State's lawsuit against the ACC alleges antitrust and breach of contract, amongst other charges. (via @TomahawkNation) https://t.co/zeKTt3vIPB
"If this goes through and FSU essentially declares war on the ACC, is this the beginning of the end of the conference?" @mikegolicjr "Yes, if you lose one of your most valuable brands … It's all interconnected. It's going to be a fascinating couple of months." @NicoleAuerbach https://t.co/rskPbzRoHt
Florida State preferred adding Oregon State to the ACC instead of Cal or Stanford https://t.co/79HdgWMSbi
If Florida State is successful in its bid to leave the ACC early, the floodgates will open and the race between the SEC and Big Ten to become the new AFC and NFC will be inevitable https://t.co/bzTPtBHpRh
Changed my mind. Here's my take, in column form, on #FSU vs. #ACC now that the battle lines have officially been drawn ... https://t.co/egzXACiwB5
Takeaways from FSU's lawsuit against the ACC and what's coming next. https://t.co/q1DFZJspYw
Here’s the full 38 page Florida State complaint for the sports media/business nerds out there. Couple of thoughts: 1. The ACC boggled media negotiations with ESPN badly. 2. The Grant of Rights is draconian. Can’t believe anyone signed it: https://t.co/6J7N5dopXh
In the 70-year history of the ACC this was a day to remember. Florida State sued the league. The league, it turned out, had already sued FSU. What's at stake? Only the ACC's entire future. On everything to know about dueling lawsuits and legal fight ahead: https://t.co/Jgauh9KArB
Florida State is officially challenging the ACC’s grant of rights in an effort to leave the conference, says it would owe $572 million! if the GOR was enforced and the Seminoles left before 2036. https://t.co/Aj1CV4h31x
On the eve of Festivus, FSU + the ACC have participated in an Airing of Grievances. In a lawsuit, FSU says the ACC has failed it w realignment and media rights, and is holding it hostage w a $572M exit fee. The ACC preemptively countersued. My breakdown: https://t.co/ZRKfH6X3yC
This is going to be an ugly divorce. #FSU #ACC
Florida State vs. ACC is on. FSU 3-point favorite. Over/under (lawyers fees): a gazillion dollars. “Criticize FSU all you want, but they’re the 1st ones over the wall,” source told @ActionNetworkHQ. “If they survive several other ACC schools will follow”⬇️ https://t.co/W1rRPsvs8D
FSU was actually fine with ACC expansion, they just would have preferred a different Pac-12 team. 👀 https://t.co/FOKLhacokw
After nearly a year of overtures and not-so-veiled threats, Florida State has finally taken legal action against the ACC in what could be the first step toward extracting itself from the league it has called home since 1991: https://t.co/nkViLSz6Tc
ACC spokesperson on the league’s pre-emotive filing yesterday in Mecklenburg County. “In light of Florida State’s clear intention to take action, the ACC proactively filed a declaratory action yesterday in defense of the Grant of Rights, the Conference and each of its members.”
FSU vs. ACC Or is it ACC vs. FSU? My updated look at a pair of legal filings, where the only stakes are half a billion dollars and the stability of the entire college football landscape. https://t.co/r96eqZDS7q
Florida State's lawsuit seeking ACC exit all about the fear of the being left behind https://t.co/uGTBa5hdXv
SMU is catching body blows in Florida State's lawsuit against the ACC. https://t.co/1mRM9vp3jO
From @dennisdoddcbs: Florida State's lawsuit spectacle was full of bluster, but Seminoles' eventual exit from ACC is inevitable https://t.co/Q5nIBoNvfW
The Seminoles would have a HUGE exit fee if they left the ACC 😳 https://t.co/TdQgAgDyOt
If Cal and Stanford can be in the Atlantic Coast Conference, there's no reason why Florida State can't be the West Coast Conference's next addition. https://t.co/iRzTCCrqnX
Ahead of Florida State's lawsuit Friday, the ACC sued FSU on Thursday, using the tried-and-true legal strategy of "Hey man, you signed the contract." https://t.co/goSJ6dORqe
Florida State wants out of the ACC, but where will the Seminoles go? Like the ACC's Grant of Rights — and the legal battle that awaits — the future is a blur. Column: https://t.co/ILUNvbfdrs https://t.co/mNazECFrFj
Since September, Oregon State and Washington State sued the Pac-12 and the other 10 members of the conference. Michigan sued the Big Ten (dropped). Florida State sued the ACC and the ACC sued FSU.
The ACC folding if FSU leaves should tell you everything you need to know about why FSU wants to leave the ACC.
At Long Last: FSU officially embarks on its biggest battle yet, this time against the ACC Column: https://t.co/bRM2TY1ctU https://t.co/pgjgnWgRkY
Neither Florida State nor the ACC will win this fight. Lawyers will win. Billable hours are undefeated.
Listen Now! FSU files lawsuit against ACC, plus Orange Bowl talk with Georgia, Seminoles epxerts https://t.co/pqQAiHsD0I
Full story here for @TheMessenger where we obtained the full 33-page lawsuit. The ACC contends this entire matter is under North Carolina jurisdiction, and says Florida State should not be able to challenge the Grant of Rights after reaping its benefits for more than a decade.… https://t.co/d00KhvzjGZ
FSU sues athletic conference over ‘deteriorating’ media deal https://t.co/Epbif1nNw5
COLUMN: Florida State’s potential exit from the ACC could speed up college football’s inevitable transformation into NFL-lite https://t.co/bzTPtBHpRh via @USATODAY
It’s officially on between the ACC and Florida State … https://t.co/YRO49NXR4R
Florida State sued the Atlantic Coast Conference on Friday, challenging a contract that binds the school to the league for the next 12 years and creating a potential path to leave without paying more than $500 million in penalties. https://t.co/xawMCcxSTU
I fully support the Florida State University Board of Trustees decision to begin the process of divorcing the ACC. As an alum, I want to see our student-athletes in the best position to thrive against the best competition in the country. Go Noles! https://t.co/ljyzCrgcVB
Inside the legal strategy to extricate Florida State from ACC 'barbed wire fence' https://t.co/ppfsy1aZc8
Key part of ACC's lawsuit against FSU's Board of Trustees is attempt to establish that legal jurisdiction over league matters resides in Mecklenburg County (and not in, say, Leon County, Florida). https://t.co/mXQhhPUain https://t.co/wJUDHPJ2Y0
What Florida State vs. the ACC could mean for the Seminoles and the "Super League" talk is back. https://t.co/HxuZWKJE7X
Florida State filed 38-page complaint suit vs. ACC Friday, accusing ACC of restraint of trade, breach of contract & challenges the legality of its withdrawal penalties. What’s it mean for FSU & ACC? Buckle up ⬇️ https://t.co/W1rRPsvZYb
Florida State's breach of contract claims against the ACC, one of which includes the recent expansion https://t.co/PPcAdLu4O8
Plot twist: the ACC is suing FSU's Board of Trustees. In a suit filed in Mecklenburg County on Thursday, the league accuses FSU of breaching its contractual obligations and asks court to declare grant of rights "valid and enforceable." (first saw this thanks to @AlisonPosey14) https://t.co/R2GFjHCBrO
Good thread on the ACC’s preemptive strike against Florida State from yesterday: https://t.co/inVbSV1Z8u
I’ve read through FSU’s complaint (at the link below). Its 7 counts boil down to four arguments. 1. The GOR/ACC withdrawal fees violate FL antitrust law (count I) 2. The GOR/withdrawal fees constitute unenforceable penalties (counts II and VII) https://t.co/WhzakAsoUH https://t.co/Cg1DwRwBsW
Excellent analysis by @NicoleAuerbach on how the CFP selection committee threw the last-straw fuel on the fire of an agitated FSU who saw itself as victim rather than member of the ACC. Cleverly, Nicole also shows college FB’s unsustainable business model https://t.co/7R9XLo7IB1
The ACC has fired back at Florida State, releasing a scathing statement and proactively filing its own lawsuit in North Carolina. https://t.co/lz9CkqaOPs
As intra-conference legal action ends on one coast, it begins on the other. Don't envision the ACC fight being as lopsided as the Pac-12 version https://t.co/3KzfcQT9Fa
ACC defends 'wholly enforceable' grant of rights amid Florida State lawsuit challenging deal's legitimacy https://t.co/vg5NfPBkaR
ACC spokesperson confirms to @YahooSports that the league proactively filed a declaratory action Thursday in defense of the Grant of Rights, the conference and each of its members in light of Florida State’s clear intention to take action.
Lawyers, help me out. From a legal perspective, is Florida State’s lawsuit actually legally viable? Seems like the long and short of it is the ACC (which includes Florida State) signed a bad deal — something that many businesses do. https://t.co/UA0b7pJpZW
Mentioned in FSU's lawsuit vs. the ACC: “FSU enjoyed scant ACC support during the CFP Selection Committee deliberations earlier this month proved particularly disheartening for the student-athletes in whose name so much of this is done in the first place.”
I wholeheartedly believe what happened to Florida St with regard to the CFP is wrong. What’s happening with conference realignment is wrong. I’m sympathetic on both fronts But suing a conference in an attempt to get out of something you willingly entered into is also wrong imo
Florida State board of trustees unanimously votes to SUE the ACC, challenging a $572MILLION penalty for leaving the conference... 19 days after being snubbed from the College Football Playoff https://t.co/aqLdtdm1G0 https://t.co/JAK2uV77Qe
Florida State already has the second smallest endowment in the ACC, and would be the smallest by far in the B10, and not in the top 10 in the SEC. However they want us to believe they can spend more than 60% of their endowment to leave the ACC and stay competitive? Delusion. https://t.co/UCajKtC4Zn
Here's a collection of quotes from Peter Collins, Richard McCullough, Michael Alford and Drew Weatherford on why they feel FSU's lawsuit against the ACC is the only path forward for the university's best interest. https://t.co/tVwiwFQWBm
Everyone mad at fsu and it’s the acc that sued us first lol
Billable hours remain undefeated no matter the outcome. Am I right, @AndrewBrandt ? https://t.co/u0hgkmjDbC
Florida State is, um, notably not a fan of the ACC additions of Cal, Stanford and SMU. "Simply stated, rather than improve its football media profile, the ACC consciously chose to diminish it, along with undermining the ACC’s 'strength of schedule' potential." https://t.co/xuCNzzimms
This is also why the ACC statement points out that the league has won the most national championships of any conference over the last 2.5 years. It's a response to FSU claiming the ACC doesn't foster championship opportunities, which comes back to the CFP snub. https://t.co/mGSJZadk6U
I was told FSU originally planned to file its lawsuit against the ACC in early 2024. Then the College Football Playoff snub happened. “The snub certainly accelerated things a little bit,” a source said. https://t.co/CazwYuj5lK
ACC to Florida State https://t.co/c2b0WfbyOQ
After saying this was not a reaction to the CFP snub, Florida State’s lawsuit begins …. https://t.co/vnLFxIP7T3
JUST IN: ACC commissioner Jim Phillips responds to Florida State lawsuit, defends grant of rights deal with ESPN https://t.co/i5zoSQSpQr
“Mismanaging media rights, ‘draconian’ exit fees:” Details of Florida State University Board of Trustees’ lawsuit vs. the ACC https://t.co/lMtCc9Ijnh
FSU makes move specifically based on revenue generation and long-term competitive viability ACC: we win a lot in non-revenue sports and athlete GPA’s are up https://t.co/zrkyjjP9xX
Copy of FSU's lawsuit against the ACC is here: https://t.co/eF0UIBzYws It contains at least one reference of dubious and questionable origin. https://t.co/yETXVCqwHF
I'm still digesting FSU's 38-page lawsuit against the ACC. One thing that jumps out: if a court agrees that FSU's arguments are valid, FSU argues it gave its notice to leave the ACC on Aug. 14, 2023...which would make it effective next year https://t.co/zVbqaqyFKl
Finally reading through FSU’s 38-page legal filing. And, woo boy, they are not happy about the additions of Cal, Stanford and SMU. https://t.co/PICCD7OJFU