ACC’s motion to remain FSU’s suit rejected by judge

Andrea Adelson, ESPN Elder WriterApr 9, 2024, 07:45 PM ET

Close

• ACC press reporter.
• Joined ESPN.com in 2010.
• Graduate of the University of Florida.A Florida judge denied

the ACC’s movement to stay Florida State’s suit against the conference Tuesday, as dueling suits between the 2 sides continue to move forward.The choice comes one week after a judge in North Carolina

ruled the ACC’s lawsuit versus Florida State can continue. Florida State submitted an appeal on that judgment Tuesday in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Leon County Judge John C. Cooper heard arguments Tuesday in the case submitted by the Florida State board of trustees in Tallahassee, Florida. He did not agree with the ACC’s assertion that the case in Florida should be briefly halted while the case in North Carolina moves forward.The hearing in the Leon County courthouse is set up to continue April 22 and anticipated to consist of arguments

on the ACC’s motion to dismiss the case in Florida. “While we respect the court’s decision, we highly disagree with its decision surrounding

our asked for remain in Florida, specifically following the North Carolina court’s choice,”the ACC stated in a declaration.”We are analyzing our choices as it relates to next steps.” Editor’s Picks 2 Associated The ACC submitted its lawsuit against Florida State on Dec. 20 to enforce the credibility of the grant of rights, an agreement that gives the conference ownership of tv media rights for all league schools through 2036. Florida State submitted its suit Dec. 21, challenging the legality of the grant of rights and the league’s$130 million withdrawal cost.”FSU is pleased with Judge Cooper’s ruling today denying the ACC’s movement to delay our suit over the mishandling of media rights,”the school stated in a statement Tuesday night.” We concur with his conclusions that the ACC’s North Carolina action was an anticipatory filing disfavored by courts, and that the sovereignty of the State of Florida supports the resolution of these matters in Florida. “Florida law typically offers choice to the celebration that submits the very first lawsuit, which in this case is the ACC. But in court Tuesday,

numerous media reports recommended that Cooper questioned whether the ACC followed the proper voting procedures to get approval to submit the suit. He likewise questioned whether the ACC brought its case as a way to hurry to get it heard first in North Carolina.If Cooper denies the ACC’s motion to dismiss in Florida, and Florida State’s appeal in North Carolina is denied, both lawsuits will continue to progress on parallel tracks in two separate states.Adding to the problems, Clemson filed its own suit against the ACC in Pickens County, South Carolina, last month over the grant of rights and withdrawal cost. The ACC filed its own countersuit

versus Clemson, also in Charlotte, a day later on.