In Tallahassee, Florida, a significant legal battle unfolded at the Leon County Courthouse between Florida State University (FSU) and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The dispute centers on FSU's attempt to invalidate its longstanding contract with the ACC, which could potentially lead to the dissolution of the conference. FSU argues that the contract no longer serves its interests, particularly concerning the broadcasting rights of home games post-departure from the ACC, as per the ESPN agreement. The ACC, on the other hand, contends that FSU has benefited from the contract for years and is now seeking an exit that could undermine the league. During the proceedings, Judge John C. Cooper denied a motion to dismiss the case based on ripeness, allowing FSU to amend its complaint. The hearing saw presentations of various documents, including the ACC-ESPN contract, and discussions over jurisdictional issues and the financial implications of TV rights for FSU's home games. FSU's attorney emphasized the urgency of resolving the contract disputes, stating, 'The sooner you do it, the sooner this matter is over.' Meanwhile, the ACC's attorney argued, 'Florida State is now asking you to invalidate the contract they believe no longer serves them.'
Judge John C. Cooper in #FSU v ACC hearing: "The case is not over. The case will continue." https://t.co/VjgjnonlYM
Judge John C. Cooper is ruling for the ACC's motion to dismiss...but is set to allow #FSU to amend its complaint. https://t.co/VjgjnonlYM
After a 24-minute recess, we're back in session at the FSU v ACC hearing in Tallahassee. https://t.co/VjgjnonlYM
#FSU v ACC hearing is in another recess so the judge can review a semi-recent court case. He has suggested that Florida State might need to amend its complaint because of some jurisdictional stuff (the technical term, of course) https://t.co/VjgjnonlYM
Tallahassee Judge John C. Cooper is denying the ACC's motion to dismiss FSU's lawsuit based on ripeness. Only one part of this motion... https://t.co/VjgjnonlYM
ACC attorney on FSU's pleadings, RE: jurisdiction: What it really comes down to…is they messed up. This is technical but could matter https://t.co/VjgjnonlYM
Now there are discussions over whether FSU plays football games in Leon County? I'm not an attorney, but I can confirm that they do. I've covered one or two of them. https://t.co/VjgjnonlYM
We're now discussing who has the TV rights if FSU plays at Alabama State. The judge seems unhappy that this isn't being stated simply
As #FSU v ACC hearing resumes in Leon County, here’s a courtroom sketch of today’s proceeding https://t.co/6rCUbka4q6
And the FSU v ACC hearing here in 3G is on a lunch break. The judge promises the afternoon portion will go faster. https://t.co/VjgjnonlYM
Judge in FSU v ACC: Let’s say FSU plays…what’s the team that has the blue artificial turf? https://t.co/VjgjnonlYM
Judge asks if the ACC gets TV money from FSU home games. Yes, FSU counsel says. That's what's paying for all the attorneys (gesturing to ACC counsel) https://t.co/VjgjnonlYM
If I'm reading between the lines correctly, the judge is very skeptical of the ACC's argument against personal jurisdiction in Tallahassee. The conference makes TV money from games in Florida, for instance, so doesn't it do business here? https://t.co/VjgjnonlYM
After a 15-minute recess, the second hearing in FSU v ACC is back in session here in Leon County Courthouse Room 3G https://t.co/VjgjnonlYM
ACC v FSU happening ongoing in a Leon County court today. Folks like @MBakerTBTimes @IraSchoffel are posting updates
FSU counsel: Bottom line, judge, as we sit here today, under the ACC’s own interpretation, the ESPN agreement does not extend to the home games that Florida State plays after it leaves. https://t.co/naKWuxaKND
NOW: Lawyers for FSU and the ACC are arguing whether the FSU v ACC lawsuit in Florida should be dismissed. The case is one of four that could result in the ACC's contracts being invalidated--and the conference breaking apart. Everything you need to know: https://t.co/0cyBzXismc
Looks like FSU's attorney just held up a copy of the ACC-ESPN contract? https://t.co/naKWuxbiDb
FSU's attorney brings up the special Jan. 12 meeting where the ACC members voted to approve an amended complaint against the Noles. My white whale👇 https://t.co/leMYPklI8f
FSU attorney says they're asking the court to resolve these contract disputes. "The sooner you do it, the sooner this matter is over." https://t.co/naKWuxaKND
#FSU v ACC is now getting into potential withdrawal dates/notices. Cuts to this matter: Is this case ripe? https://t.co/naKWuxaKND
ACC attorney sums up the league's case: After FSU worked in the league for decades and took millions for years, “Florida State is now asking you to invalidate the contract they believe no longer serves them.” https://t.co/VjgjnonlYM
It's 9:39, and the #FSU v. ACC hearing in Leon County is in session. Judge John C. Cooper wheeled in a cart with a giant folder/documents. https://t.co/VjgjnonlYM
Our guy @IraSchoffel is back in the Leon County Courthouse covering the next hearing between FSU and the ACC. Look for live updates on the Tribal Council. https://t.co/uto2kYQdQk
Good morning from the Leon County Courthouse. I'm outside Room 3G, where the second Tallahassee hearing in #FSU v. ACC is set to begin in 50 minutes. https://t.co/HNzsIlTDbK
Clemson and Florida State are suing the ACC to prove that the contracts binding them to the conference aren’t enforceable. Meanwhile, the ACC is counter-suing both schools. @achristovichh has everything you need to know about the four lawsuits that could break the ACC apart ⬇️
Lunchtime RT: A few scenarios how the FSU-ACC lawsuits (in separate states) could play out, from easy (they agree to consolidate), to high and mighty (the US Supreme Court) to wild (a race to judgment). Also, Door No. 4. https://t.co/iVuwHbyl8y
The #FSU-ACC lawsuits are still proceeding in separate courts in separate states with slightly different laws. I asked some folks how that might work. Turns out there’s a scenario where it goes all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court! https://t.co/iVuwHbyl8y
The next hearing has been scheduled in ACC v FSU (the one in North Carolina). That, remember, is NOT the same as the case in Florida. The next hearing in Tallahassee is Monday. https://t.co/Fgqr2aU7y7