A secret legal battle is unfolding in Chapel Hill. Yes, earlier this month, The Athletic uncovered that UNC has quietly spent over $600K in legal fees over the past 2 years on a mysterious internal project called the “Carolina Blue Matter.” And the focus? Simply, conference realignment and the ACC’s financial struggles against the SEC and B1G. But now, UNC Tar Heels‘ secrecy is catching up to them. And with murky billing practices and missing records tied to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, local lawyer David McKenzie is taking action — suing the university. So, the fight for transparency is just beginning.

Looks like more trouble is brewing, and Bill Belichick’s Tar Heels is feeling the heat. However, in a statement, the university tried to justify its secretive legal dealings, saying, “The University engaged Skadden to provide advice and counsel on legal issues related to the business of college athletics. Among other things, the engagement with Skadden included advice and counsel regarding the rights and responsibilities of conference membership and the ongoing environment of conference realignment.” But with lawsuits piling up and transparency in question, UNC’s explanation might not be enough to silence the growing controversy.

And truly, UNC’s legal troubles are only getting deeper. McKenzie is calling out the university’s shady payment tactics, claiming they’re dodging public records laws with a 4-step process designed to hide the truth.

As of now, here’s how it worked: Skadden submitted detailed invoices for UNC’s review. But once approved, the firm sent back a stripped-down, one-page summary — no itemized details, no transparency. And that’s what became public. However, McKenzie isn’t buying it. In a 111-page complaint, he blasted UNC for misleading invoices, mislabeled charges, vague placeholders, and shifting justifications. He claimed the university’s review process created a perfect smokescreen, ensuring full invoices never see the light of day. So now, the fight for the truth is on.

And here comes a new intel on Bill Belichick’s UNC’s $600K move — one that could shake up the ACC even more. In a recent episode of College Football Addiction, two CFB insiders dropped a bombshell about UNC’s legal strategy. One insider posed the million-dollar question, asking, “It’s the ACC, it’s North Carolina, who’s in court in North Carolina — Florida State and Clemson. I would say, did they share information? That, to me, that’s the big question. It’s like, how much of that which they learned ended up in Florida State and Clemson lawyers’ hands?”

And the response was a quick-fire revelation. The other one said, “Yeah, and then everything that Florida State and Clemson are learning right now is ending up right back with North Carolina, right? You think about every lawsuit, every court hearing, and everything that they’ve done — like, they’re sifting through that.”

Simply put, Clemson and Florida State are leading the charge to break free, but UNC is quietly following their blueprint. Instead of taking the lead, they’re playing it smart — absorbing every legal move FSU and Clemson make. So, it’s a strange yet strategic approach.

As the battle for ACC freedom is heating up, Clemson and FSU aren’t just talking about leaving — they’re fighting for it in court. You know, both schools have filed lawsuits against the conference, searching for ways to reduce or erase the massive financial penalties tied to an exit. But the ACC isn’t backing down. And they’ve fired back with a countersuit, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal showdown. And following that, while FSU made its move in December 2023, Clemson followed in March 2024.

While the legal storm rages on for Bill Belichick’s program, this isn’t their first showdown with David McKenzie. Safe to say, the courtroom battles are piling up, and McKenzie isn’t backing down.

UNC’s history of legal troubles

UNC’s legal troubles run deeper than you think. Last May, the Board of Trustees tried to keep things behind closed doors, scheduling a secret session to discuss athletics. But David McKenzie wasn’t having it. And alarmed by the secrecy, the legal expert took action — filing a lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court and accusing the board of violating the state’s open meetings law. As of now, with another lawsuit in play, UNC’s pattern of secrecy is coming under even more scrutiny.

But at that time, in the end, UNC had to pay up. Last year, on July 19, the university reached a settlement with McKenzie, agreeing to shell out $25K to cover attorney’s fees and other claims. But in return, McKenzie dropped the lawsuit for good, dismissing it with prejudice — meaning it can never be refiled. So, a quiet ending to a loud legal battle.

However, this time, the stakes are even higher. And UNC’s potential ACC exit is more than just talk — it’s a battle fueled by huge financial gaps. Furthermore, with the B1G and SEC raking in far more TV revenue, the Tar Heels may be looking for a way out. So this time, the discussion isn’t going away.