Clemson files lawsuit against ACC

CLEMSON, S.C. (WHNS/Gray News) - Clemson University filed a lawsuit against the Atlantic Coast Conference on Tuesday as it seeks to leave the conference.

The ACC owns the broadcast rights to home games played through 2036, even if the institution ends its membership with the conference. For institutions to leave the conference, there is a $140 million penalty.

In the lawsuit, Clemson said the extension of the ACC’s media rights hinders the university’s ability to negotiate alternative revenue-sharing proposals for home game broadcasts and “explore its options regarding conference membership.”

In December, Florida State’s board of trustees sued the ACC in Florida, making similar claims, the Associated Press reported. The ACC pre-emptively filed a lawsuit against Florida State in North Carolina, where the conference offices are located, saying the school’s actions were a breach of contract.

Copyright 2024 WHNS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.