The Florida State board of trustees unanimously decided to take legal action against the ACC on Friday, aiming to contest the legality of the league's grant of rights and the substantial $130 million withdrawal fee. This step is deemed necessary to navigate the school's future and explore the possibility of departing from the conference.

A comprehensive 38-page lawsuit has been filed in the Leon County Circuit Court in Tallahassee, Florida, seeking a declaratory judgment against the ACC. The lawsuit argues that the grant of rights and withdrawal fee are "unreasonable restraints of trade in the state of Florida and not enforceable in their entirety against Florida State."

The university alleges "chronic fiduciary mismanagement and bad faith" on the part of the ACC concerning its multimedia rights agreements, which have allegedly hindered revenue opportunities for its members. Additionally, Florida State accuses the ACC of breach of contract and failure to fulfill its obligations.

Board chair Peter Collins stated, "I believe this board has been left with no choice but to challenge the legitimacy of the ACC grant of rights and its severe withdrawal penalties. None of us relish being in this position. However, I believe that we have exhausted all possible remedies within the conference, and we must prioritize what we believe is best for Florida State, not only in the short term but also in the long term."

This move by Florida State marks uncharted territory, as no school has previously contested a grant of rights in court.

ACC officials have previously touted the document as "ironclad," suggesting that its language is so stringent that it would effectively prevent schools from leaving. However, because no school has challenged the document in court before, its actual enforceability remains uncertain.

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips and Virginia president Jim Ryan, chair of the ACC board of directors, expressed disappointment in Florida State's actions, labeling them as "unprecedented and overreaching" in a statement.

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