Both of those conferences have far-richer television deals. The lawsuit describes a “withdrawal penalty” of $130 million.įSU has been a member of the ACC for more than 30 years but there have been rumors the school would rather be in the Southeastern Conference like their rivals, the Florida Gators, or even the Big Ten. There’s also a media-rights deal to run for another 13 years, plus steep costs to leave the conference. Plus, state attorney general Ashley Moody demanded information from the playoff selection committee about FSU’s exclusion from the four-team playoff.īut, FSU Board of Trustees chair Peter Collins, who called the playoff decision “a travesty,” said it wasn’t the reason for the suit. Ron DeSantis, who's running for the GOP presidential nomination, even recommended the state offer $1 million for any legal action about the snub. That decision angered university and state officials. The lawsuit filed in Leon County circuit court on Friday came nearly three weeks after the Seminoles became the first undefeated champion of a Power 5 conference to be left out of the College Football Playoff. (TND) - Florida State University is suing the Atlantic Coast Conference, alleging the conference 'persistently undermined its members’ revenue opportunities' and damaged FSU.
