ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips Addresses Legal Disputes with Clemson and Florida State: Fighting for the League and Its Members

Charlotte, North Carolina United States of America
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips addressed ongoing legal disputes between the ACC and Clemson and Florida State during the 2024 ACC Football Kickoff.
A judge ruled that Clemson's case can continue in South Carolina.
Both schools have filed lawsuits against the conference, aiming to get out of the stringent exit fee and Grant of Rights (GOR) Agreement.
Phillips emphasized that every member of the conference willingly signed the Grant of Rights and unanimously agreed to the current television contract and the launch of the ACC Network.
The ACC counter-suited Clemson and FSU, claiming they are going against the GOR Agreement they agreed to in 2016.
The lawsuits stem from Florida State's 13-0 regular season in 2023 when they were left out of the final four-team College Football Playoff. Clemson followed suit in March 2024.
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips Addresses Legal Disputes with Clemson and Florida State: Fighting for the League and Its Members

ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips addressed ongoing legal disputes between the ACC and Clemson and Florida State during the 2024 ACC Football Kickoff. Both schools have filed lawsuits against the conference, aiming to get out of the stringent exit fee and Grant of Rights (GOR) Agreement. The ACC counter-suited Clemson and FSU, claiming they are going against the GOR Agreement they agreed to in 2016. Phillips emphasized that every member of the conference willingly signed the Grant of Rights and unanimously agreed to the current television contract and the launch of the ACC Network. He vowed to fight for the league and its members, stating that these disputes are damaging, disruptive, and harmful to the ACC.

The lawsuits stem from Florida State's 13-0 regular season in 2023 when they were left out of the final four-team College Football Playoff. Clemson followed suit in March 2024. The ACC has denied both motions to dismiss and stay, with a judge ruling that Clemson's case can continue in South Carolina.

Phillips reiterated his stance on the importance of protecting the league and its members, emphasizing that every member agreed to the terms of the Grant of Rights. He did not provide further comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.



Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • Is every member of the ACC truly willing to fight these legal battles?
  • What are the potential consequences if Clemson and Florida State win their lawsuits?

Sources

100%

  • Unique Points
    • ACC commissioner Jim Phillips stated that the league will fight lawsuits from Clemson and Florida State ‘for as long as it takes’.
    • Both Clemson and Florida State unanimously signed the grant of rights agreement in 2013 and again in 2016.
    • Florida State alleged ‘chronic fiduciary mismanagement and bad faith’ in its lawsuit against the ACC and former commissioner John Swofford.
    • ACC commissioner Jim Phillips defended former commissioner John Swofford, who was added to Florida State’s amended lawsuit several months ago.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

99%

  • Unique Points
    • ACC commissioner Jim Phillips vowed to fight against Clemson and Florida State in court over media rights disputes.
    • The ACC is expanding with California, SMU, and Stanford joining the league this year.
    • Florida State went 13-0 in the regular season but was not included in the College Football Playoff final four teams.
  • Accuracy
    • ]The ACC is expanding with California, SMU, and Stanford joining the league this year.[/{
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

99%

  • Unique Points
    • ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips addressed Clemson and Florida State's pending lawsuits against the conference at the 2024 ACC Football Kickoff.
    • Phillips stated that the ACC will fight to protect the league and its members against Clemson and FSU’s disputes which are damaging, disruptive, and harmful to the league.
    • Both Clemson and FSU filed lawsuits aiming to get out of the ACC’s stringent exit fee and Grant of Rights (GOR) Agreement.
    • The ACC counter-suited Clemson and FSU, claiming they are going against the GOR Agreement they agreed to in 2016.
    • Phillips emphasized that every member of the conference willingly signed the Grant of Rights and unanimously agreed to the current television contract and the launch of the ACC Network.
  • Accuracy
    • ]The ACC will fight to protect the league and its members against Clemson and FSU's disputes[/ (Article)], [
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

100%

  • Unique Points
    • ACC commissioner Jim Phillips vowed to ‘fight for the league’ amid lawsuits from Florida State and Clemson over media rights agreements.
    • Florida State was the first to file a lawsuit against the ACC in December 2021, followed by Clemson in March 2022.
    • Both schools are contesting the enforceability of grant-of-rights agreements that bind revenue from home athletic events to the ACC through 2036.
    • ACC countersued Florida State and Clemson, escalating the acrimony between the parties.
    • A judge denied Florida State’s motion to dismiss in June 2022, allowing the case to continue through the legal system.
    • A judge denied Clemson’s motion to stay and dismiss in July 2022, but Clemson has appealed that ruling to the North Carolina Supreme Court.
    • ACC attorneys argued they do not have jurisdiction in South Carolina, where a judge ruled that Clemson’s suit against the ACC can continue.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication