When FSU announced they were suing the ACC in December 2023, there were lots of shots and snickering directed toward the Seminoles.
The ACC Grant of Rights was "ironclad" and FSU had no way out of the ACC unless they paid over $500 million or remained in the ACC until 2036.
The joke was on those clowns who thought they knew more than they did. I'm not sure FSU knew they'd get what they ultimately got, but they had no choice but to shake the tree to see what would fall out.
Clemson filing their lawsuit later likely helped FSU. However, FSU filing their lawsuit first deserves all of the credit.
Fast forward fewer than two years later, and the lawsuit has been settled with details emerging. Normally, folks wouldn't call a settlement a win, but that's not the case here. FSU clearly benefitted more from the settlement than the ACC. Here's what they got:
Notable info on ACC exit fees from @chapelfowler.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) July 3, 2025
Separately, more info on the ACC’s new tiered governance and revenue distribution model, which, as expected, heavily favors Clemson and FSU from @mckenzielaw
https://t.co/IzcHKh505p https://t.co/OHnmyCEocq
And here's a bit more on the new "multi-media revenue distribution policy" that theoretically will aid Clemson, FSU other schools with strong football TV viewership. Examples of how this $$ would be distributed for 2024-25 athletic year is included but redacted pic.twitter.com/gjf4nXa73a
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) July 3, 2025
A whopping 60 percent of the Multi-Media Revenue will be up for grabs. Here's where it gets good, 75 percent of that will be based on football viewership and the remaining 25 percent for basketball. Guess who is always near the top of football viewership in the ACC regardless of their record? FSU. The ACC "basketball" schools like Duke and UNC received a minor win with that amount going toward basketball.
FSU will likley make much more money each year with the new agreement compared to what they would have made if they hadn't filed the lawsuit.
Five hours into this (and still not done), but here is how I would describe Clemson and FSU's new position:
— David McKenzie (@mckenzielaw) July 3, 2025
👉If they stay: They control their destiny
👉If they leave: They prevented unfavorable changes before departure
👉Either way: They've maximized their position
Total win.
Combined with the main Settlement Agreement, the changes to the ACC Constitution gives Clemson/FSU veto over:
— David McKenzie (@mckenzielaw) July 3, 2025
* Any changes to these voting rules themselves, as Clemson and FSU have permanent veto power over removing their veto power
* Revenue distribution changes
* Withdrawal…
FSU has veto power on nearly every major item that could come up. There isn't much more to say. FSU will receive more money while in the ACC and will pay far less when they are ready to leave, and can already start pinpointing WHEN they want to leave as they have discussions (back channeling) with the B1G and the SEC.