Florida State University and the Atlantic Coast Conference have completed court-ordered mediation, as reported in a court filing on Thursday. The legal dispute between the university and the conference, where Florida State has been a member for 32 years, seems likely to extend into the upcoming football season and possibly beyond.
The filing stated that representatives from both parties met in person on August 13 for mediation. Although they did not reach a resolution during this session, discussions are ongoing according to a two-sentence joint notice of mediation compliance.
The legal battle between Florida State and the ACC began with a lawsuit filed in December, one of four active cases involving the conference and two of its prominent member schools across three different states. Florida State and Clemson are both seeking a cost-effective way to exit the ACC, challenging what they view as excessive exit fees and restrictive contracts linking member schools to each other and the conference through media rights.
The ACC has countersued both schools, claiming they do not have the right to sue and are violating their contractual agreements. The lawsuit, overseen by Leon County Judge John Cooper, led to a mediation order in April as an attempt to facilitate a swift resolution rather than a prolonged court battle.
While the details of the mediation session remain confidential, ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips has reiterated the conference’s stance on the matter, emphasizing their commitment to upholding contractual obligations. The ACC’s media rights agreement with ESPN is in effect until 2036, with a provision allowing the network to terminate the deal in 2027.
Florida State and Clemson argue that the terms of the agreement put them at a disadvantage compared to other conferences like the SEC and Big Ten. Despite their concerns, neither school has formally notified the ACC about their intentions to withdraw, which requires a one-year notice according to conference bylaws.
The deadline of August 15 passed without any action from Florida State or Clemson for a potential move in the 2025-26 academic year. Clemson’s lawsuit was filed in March in South Carolina, while the ACC’s cases were filed in North Carolina. Legal maneuvers such as motions to dismiss and appeals are being made as all parties seek a favorable outcome.
A hearing is scheduled for September 11 in Florida regarding the ACC’s motion to halt Florida State’s case. The litigation saga between Florida State, Clemson, and the Atlantic Coast Conference is set to continue as the legal complexities unfold.