The ACC Grant of Rights agreement may be one thing that’s keeping top college programs from leaving the conference. But Mike Norvell and the Florida State Seminoles aren’t gonna stay bound anymore despite a hefty million exit fee. And the FSU lawsuit unearthed a scene where the ACC messed up big time!

As the Power Five champs declared their intention to move on from the conference, the ACC distressed them with a staggering buyout amount of $572 million, which is an absurd amount for a college football program to pay. This ultimately led to a lawsuit that gradually saw the conference agreeing to cut down about 85% of the initial cost. But there is foul play here!

ACC in hot water amidst contract violation

In a breaking Twitter post by Blue Bloods Bias, FSU fans’ hopes are ignited as “new information reveals that Florida State has a STRONG chance of winning the lawsuit against the ACC.” Amid FSU filing a lawsuit against the ACC on the grounds of the Grant of Rights, a violation crept up that could cost the conference their Grant of Rights. The conference’s new commissioner Jim Phillips extended the ESPN contract deadline “that he allegedly signed ON HIS OWN,” which is a violation of the ACC bylaws. 

The ACC signed an 11-year TV contract with ESPN which will be active from 2016 to 2027. ESPN also has the flexibility to extend the contract from 2027-36 under the same financial terms, a decision that the sports outlet should present by 2021. However, Jim Phillips decided to change the decision deadline to February 2025 in a formal amendment that he supposedly signed himself without the approval of 2/3rds of all members. Now this violation could potentially lead to the nullification of the entire ACC contract as well as the Grant of Rights. 

FSU’s financial prospect outside ACC

Delivering an exceptional play this season without a single loss, it’s not hard to think why Florida State wants to leap to a more prosperous conference. If FSU remains in the ACC in 2024, it will earn approximately $33 million. Meanwhile, SEC and Big Ten programs will get approximately $55 and $60 million, respectively. 

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FSU’s lawsuit aims to nullify the conference’s GoR agreement and leave the conference without paying anything. The deeper the ACC falls in the trench, the better chance FSU can afford to leave for free. Imagine the amount they’ll be saving if they win the lawsuit! And it looks like they’re on the winning side with Phillips misusing his power. 

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