Florida State University (FSU) and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) found themselves back in court on Wednesday as their legal counsels faced off, this time at the 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee. The ongoing lawsuit between the university and the conference continues to center on the validity of a $140 million exit fee and the ACC’s adherence to its own bylaws.
The case, which has seen hearings in both Florida and North Carolina, highlights a long-standing dispute over FSU’s potential departure from the ACC and the penalties that could come with it. On Wednesday, the familiar legal teams gathered once more, though this time in front of a three-judge panel—Judges Ross L. Bilbrey, Joseph Lewis Jr., and M. Kemmerly Thomas—instead of a single judge as seen in previous hearings.
The ACC is appealing a decision by Leon County Judge John C. Cooper, who had denied the conference’s motion to dismiss three of FSU’s legal claims. The first of these claims related to whether FSU could file suit against the ACC in Florida rather than North Carolina. Although the judge initially sided with the ACC on this matter, allowing FSU to amend its complaints, he ultimately permitted the case to proceed on two additional counts.
These counts include challenges to the enforceability of the ACC’s $140 million exit fee and allegations that the conference did not follow its bylaws when it initiated legal action against FSU without holding a formal vote among its member schools. FSU’s legal team has argued that the ACC filed its lawsuit preemptively, anticipating FSU’s decision to sue over what it sees as an excessive exit fee.
For its part, the ACC contends that Florida should not be the venue for the case, maintaining that North Carolina, where the conference is headquartered, is the proper location for the proceedings. The ACC also accused FSU of breaching agreements by attempting to pursue legal action in two different states simultaneously, a situation the conference claims could lead to further confusion.
As both legal teams presented their arguments, they largely stuck to familiar positions without introducing significant new developments. The outcome of the case remains uncertain, with legal proceedings in both Florida and North Carolina currently on hold until the appellate courts deliver their rulings.
This case continues to be a high-stakes battle, as FSU’s potential exit from the ACC and the associated financial penalties could have significant implications not just for the university, but for the future stability of the conference itself. With both sides standing firm, it’s clear that, despite the changing legal venues, the core issues of the case remain very much the same.
