Clemson Takes First Steps Toward Leaving The ACC, Following In Florida State’s Footsteps

The Atlantic Coast Conference might finally be on its last legs.

The famed college sports conference was already on the back foot as the Big Ten and SEC continued to add power programs.

But now the ACC appears to holding on by a string, as Clemson joined fellow conference powerhouse Florida State in suing the conference over the ACC Grant of Rights and enforceability of its withdrawal fees on Tuesday.

“The ACC has publicly asserted that the ACC irrevocably owns the media rights of member institutions to home games played through 2026, even if the institution ceases to be a member of the conference,” an introduction to the suit reads. “The ACC has also claimed that member institutions must pay an exorbitant $140 million penalty to leave the conference, and that members owe the conference fiduciary duties, specifically with respect to obligations created by their grant of media rights to the conference.

“Each of these erroneous assertions separately hinders Clemson’s ability to meaningfully explore its options regarding conference membership…”

In other words: “we want out and we aren’t paying you your ridiculous fee.”

Clemson Wants Out Of ACC As Big Ten And SEC Circle Like Vultures

As mentioned above, Florida State is also in the process of suing the ACC for similar reasons. The Tigers and Seminoles are the most recent programs to win a football national championship in the conference.

Meanwhile, basketball powerhouse North Carolina has also opened the door to potentially seeking greener pastures in the near future.

The issue at hand lies with the state of the conference as it pertains to college football. Florida State, of course, was left out of the 2024 College Football Playoff despite going undefeated and winning the ACC Championship.

Meanwhile, a newly agreed upon College Football Playoff format would see ACC schools take home around $13 million annually, which is a significant drop from the $21 million per school in the Big Ten and SEC.

While the court proceedings are far from over — having barely even just begun — it appears that sooner or later, the ACC is going to lose its biggest brands. It’s just a matter of when and to whom.