From Pete Thamel's article today:

"According to sources, Florida State officials and lawyers have gone to the ACC's office at least a half-dozen times to dissect and analyze the legal language in the league's grant of rights. They are one of many ACC programs that have done so, as copies are not permitted outside league offices.

And while the move won't come with any other schools immediately joining, others are plotting a similar sequence -- explore the legal opportunities of unwinding from the grant of rights, which would likely take months, and then eventually leave the league if that's both financially tenable and there's a safe landing spot."

1. Threaten to drown the ACC office in an avalanche of attorney fees. First FSU. Then Clemson. Lots of rumors North Carolina will be next. All schools deliberately proceeding "separately" (see No. 2)

2. Make the "Unmagnificent Seven" decide whether funding multiple drawn out legal cases is a better option than negotiating a settlement with the ACC's more desireable members (e.g, the Big XII option)

3. Take phone calls from Brett Yormark who is "working really hard with ESPN and FOX to get these great ACC schools taken care of just like we did with the Pac-12"

4. Watch Notre Dame and Miami scurry into the waiting arms of Tony Petitti, FOX, CBS and NBC

5. Greedily rub hands together in anticipation of CFP media rights deal for 2026 and beyond

(12-21-2023 11:50 AM)PeteTheChop Wrote:  ... 4. Watch Notre Dame and Miami scurry into the waiting arms of Tony Petitti, FOX, CBS and NBC ...

How optional is this piece of your scenario?

If it's a necessary piece, the fact that Notre Dame isn't at all likely to said scurrying would be a problem for the scenario hanging together.

That's a wishful thinking. I know Phillips seems like a weak leader but the stake is too big.

1. ACC's statement today:

“We are confident that the Grant of Rights, which has been honored by all other universities who signed similar agreements, will be affirmed by the courts and the Conference’s legal counsel will vigorously enforce the agreement in the best interests of the ACC’s current and incoming members.”

2. FSU wanted to negotiate prior to filing a suit but the ACC rejected.

3. In 2022, one ACC athletic director told ESPN: "There would be a hell of a court fight, I will tell you that."

https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...ain-future

4. Today's ESPN article:

The majority of administrators who spoke with ESPN said they expected it would be at least two to three years before any final resolution, and given the dollar figures at stake and the existential threat FSU's departure presents to the league, neither side has much incentive to roll over without a serious fight.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...s-answered

5.