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Clemson joins Florida State, sues ACC over ‘exorbitant’ exit fee

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The ACC said it “remains confident that its agreements with all its members will be affirmed by the courts.” (Eric Gay/AP)
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Following in the footsteps of fellow ACC power Florida State, Clemson filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the conference that seeks to establish conditions under which the Tigers could minimize the cost of a potential departure.

In a legal document filed in Pickens County, S.C., Clemson argued the ACC’s withdrawal fee was “exorbitant” and too overtly punitive to be enforceable. In addition, the school claimed, a grant of rights provision to which it agreed does not give the ACC control over Clemson’s media-related revenue for many years to come, regardless of whether the Tigers leave the conference.