The next step in the college football conference realignment process appears to have been taken, with Clemson University filing a lawsuit against the Pickens (South Carolina) ACC, according to court records.
Clemson has said it has not informed the ACC of its intention to withdraw from the conference and remains a member, but the lawsuit suggests the school is looking for ways to change that.
In the lawsuit, Clemson claims its “ability to meaningfully consider options regarding conference membership” is being inhibited by the ACC, which claims to own the school's media rights.
Clemson filed the lawsuit against the ACC because, as the school stated, “ACC's actions interfere with Clemson's free exercise of its rights and prevent its athletic programs from continuing to compete at the highest level.” “It would be fatally detrimental to Clemson's efforts to do so.” It's also very important to Clemson outside of athletics. ”
Clemson hopes the court will rule that the conference will no longer own the school's media rights after it leaves the league. Schools are not required to pay withdrawal fees in order to withdraw; and; Schools have no fiduciary responsibility to ACC.
This offseason, Clemson was revealed to be one of the so-called “Magnificent Seven” schools that were exploring the possibility of leaving the ACC entitlement agreement, which expires in 2036. Ta.
To leave the conference before that date, schools must pay a nine-figure exit fee.
But Clemson appears to want to take action before that date to take full advantage of the new market that has emerged since the groundbreaking expansion phase that occurred last offseason.
Clemson isn't alone.
This is the second lawsuit filed against the ACC in recent months, with Florida State also filing a lawsuit against the conference and the school's potential to leave the league and join another league in the future. I hope that the path to doing so will become easier.
Last summer, a source told SI that Clemson is “very involved” with Florida State on the issue of the future of the ACC and possible departure from the conference.
However, each school is taking a “completely different public relations approach” to the situation.
Although Clemson has not made any public statements on this issue to date, Florida decision-makers have publicly stated in board meetings and other statements that they are not satisfied with the financial situation that exists in the ACC today. It has said.
Now, Clemson has released its first public statement, the first step in a long legal process.
This story is developing
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