FSU makes major move in ongoing ACC battle

The university and the ACC are in the final stages of their litigation.

Sep 3, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell is excited during the fourth quarter against the Louisiana State Tigers at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images | Melina Myers-Imagn Images

In March, Florida State University, Clemson University, and the Atlantic Coast Conference announced they would settle their lawsuits.

READ MORE: Former Florida State star takes unexpected jab at Atlanta Falcons

The settlement brought clarity to the two schools as they found out they would retain their media rights with a single collective exit fee.

Now, according to Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times, all three parties have "officially, formally, finally" ended their lawsuits and will pay their own legal representatives' legal fees.

Florida State's Board of Trustees unanimously voted to end the settlement in early March.

Alongside the flat exit fee, the agreement will include a revenue-sharing system that will favor teams that bring more viewership (brand initiative) and more individual success initiatives.

The agreement also provides a more defined penalty for institutions looking to leave the conference (including the exit fee and breaking the grant of rights contract).

The "brand initiative" will reward teams financially for greater viewership numbers.

Leaders in viewership in the ACC could bring upwards of $15 million, while the "success initiatives" could "close the gap" with the SEC and Big Ten schools that Florida State and Clemson have longed for.

FSU President Richard McCullough made the following remarks in March during the final meeting in which the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to end the litigation:

"I so appreciate all the hard work that got put into this, it couldn't of happened without Chair [Peter] Collins. He's been a great partner, part of the team, and helped in so many ways. [Chief Legal Officer] Carolyn [Egan], amazing job. She did a lot of the heavy lifting and interfacing ... It was a great process, and I'm so proud of how we were able to manage through all that, and I just appreciate our attorneys were phenomenal," President McCullough said.

The FSU President also thanked his partners for breaking down the "ironclad nature" of the legal process, but it was clearly a nod to the ACC's insistence that the grant of rights contract fees was unamendable.

"[The settlement] was not only helpful for Florida State but for the entire ACC league."

---

READ MORE: Coveted recruiting target has disappointing news for Florida State football

Stick with NoleGameday for more FREE coverage of Florida State Football throughout the offseason

Follow NoleGameday on and Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

More Florida State News

• Florida State offers son of NFL legend and Heisman Trophy winner
  

• Florida State lands near top of ACC for 2025 offseason moves
  

• Who is Florida State’s biggest rival? We've ranked them
  

• Kickoff times set for four key 2025 Florida State football games