In a new legal development, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has taken action following Clemson University’s recent lawsuit against it.
The ACC has retaliated by filing a counter lawsuit against Clemson, opting to pursue legal proceedings in Mecklenburg County. The Athletic’s Chris Vannini was the first to report on the situation on X (formerly known as Twitter). This move echoes the conference’s previous legal action against Florida State, filed in the same county last December.
Last year, on December 21, Florida State initiated legal proceedings against the ACC. Now, with Clemson joining FSU in contesting the league, both universities are challenging the ACC in court regarding its Grant of Rights deal and the substantial $130 million exit fee. Now it is Clemson who is officially joining the battle.
Here is some of what the records had to say:
Consequently, the ACC seeks (1) a declaration that the withdrawal payment is a valid and enforceable contract term applicable to Clemson (2) a declaration that the plain language of the Grant of Rights means what it says and that Clemson’s grant of rights is exclusive and irrevocable through the term, regardless of whether Clemson remains a Member Institution (3) a declaration that by accepting millions of dollars of benefits under the Grant of Rights and as a Member Institution that has operated under the Grant of Rights for more than a decade, Clemson is equitably estopped from attacking the validity of the withdrawal payment or the Grant of Rights or, in the alternative, has waived any right to do so (4) a declaration that Clemson owes fiduciary duties to the ACC as a Member Institution (5) damages for Clemson’s breach of the Grant of Rights and (6) damages for Clemson’s breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing.