ACC collapse becomes the next big thing of the 2024 conference realignment season as FSU and Clemson lawsuits to break GoR follow

An ACC collapse could be the next big storyline in the conference realignment landscape. The conference is on the route to implosion as a couple of programs are pushing to leave despite the binding grant of rights. This could see it suffer the fate of the Pac-12.

The Atlantic Coast Conference has a long media deal with ESPN which runs until 2036. So, the members are locked to the league until the expiration of the television deal. The conference has a grant of rights agreement that makes an exit difficult for its members.

Nonetheless, two schools within the league harbor the intention to leave. They are not satisfied with the reality of receiving the same amount for the next 12 years. This places a huge threat on the future of the conference and creates a strong possibility of a potential fall.

FSU and Clemson lawsuits against the ACC

Following the conclusion of the 2023 college football season, the FSU Board of Regents met to discuss the future of the university in the college athletics landscape. The meeting came in the wake of the Seminoles' controversial exclusion from the College Football Playoff.

It was agreed at the meeting that the university athletic department should begin the process of exiting the ACC. This resulted in the school filing a lawsuit against the conference seeking to invalidate the grant of rights agreement, which will aid an exit without huge fees.

A couple of months later, Clemson filed a different lawsuit against the conference, seeking to navigate the binding grants of rights like the FSU. The Tigers' lawsuit places the ACC in a difficult position as it has to deal with two legal battles at once in a bid to save its future.

FSU and Clemson seem to be working hand-in-hand to get out of the conference. Should they become successful in their bids, this could pose a significant threat to the future of the conference.

Will the ACC suffer the same fate as the Pac-12?

The ACC is obviously on the route to facing an existential threat amid the legal battles it’s dealing with. This could see the league suffer the same fate as the Pac-12, which experienced an implosion last year following several departures.

Nonetheless, the league could still keep its house in order if Clemson and FSU eventually leave. This depends on the interest its members generate from other Power Five leagues. The conference will, however, ensure it keeps a membership of at least 15 members to avoid renegotiation of its media deal by ESPN.