Is Clemson Leaving The ACC? Clemson Conference Realignment
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Updated Jul 12, 2024
Is Clemson Leaving The ACC?
Clemson might be leaving the ACC and joining a different Power 5 conference. Clemson is in a legal battle with the ACC, and many think they want to leave the conference. If they do leave, there are a few options for where they might go. They could join the Big Ten, the SEC, or the Big 12. There have been talks with the Big 12, which is strong in football and basketball. Clemson's future in the ACC will depend on the outcome of their legal case. They have a court appearance soon, and the results will help them decide what to do next.
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Clemson Conference Realignment
College football is seeing big changes in conference memberships. Recently, Florida State and Clemson filed lawsuits against the ACC, showing they might be unhappy in the conference. If the ACC struggles, Clemson and Florida State might join the SEC. However, there are bold predictions that they could join the Big Ten instead. Some even think the Big Ten might also invite Georgia Tech and Miami, making it a 22-team league. While it's possible, it's more likely that Clemson will join the SEC. The future is uncertain, but change is coming.
Clemson Tigers Football
The Clemson Tigers are the football team at Clemson University. They play in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as part of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Formed in 1896, the Tigers have a strong history with 790 wins and 28 bowl victories. They have won national titles in 2016 and 2018, defeating Alabama both times. Clemson has had six undefeated seasons and made six straight playoff appearances from 2015 to 2021. The team has won 27 conference championships, the most in the ACC. The Tigers play at Memorial Stadium, known as "Death Valley," which is one of the largest stadiums in college football.
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Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is a college sports league in the United States. Its headquarters are in Charlotte, North Carolina. The ACC has 16 member universities that compete in NCAA Division I sports, including football in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. Current members include schools like Clemson, Duke, Florida State, and Notre Dame. The ACC was founded in 1953 and has grown over the years, adding schools like Georgia Tech and Florida State. In 2023, the ACC decided to add the University of California, Berkeley, Southern Methodist University, and Stanford University, starting in the 2024-25 school year. The ACC teams are known for being top competitors in many sports and have won numerous national championships. The conference also has a lot of media coverage and is part of the "Power Five" conferences with ties to major bowl games in football.
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FSU Clemson Big 12
Florida State (FSU) and Clemson are unhappy with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and want to leave. They have even taken legal action against the ACC. If they win the lawsuits, they might join the Big 12. Sports insider Ross Dellenger mentioned that there have been early talks about this move, but nothing is certain yet. FSU and Clemson would prefer to join the SEC or Big Ten first. If those options don't work, they might try to change the ACC to make it more financially beneficial.
If they do join the Big 12, the conference would need to offer them more money, possibly through private equity. This is because FSU and Clemson are not satisfied with the current money they receive from the ACC. The Big 12 usually pays schools around $40 million a year, but the SEC and Big Ten pay around $70 million. The Big 12 would need to decide if they can afford to pay FSU and Clemson more to join. For now, FSU and Clemson are still part of the ACC.
Clemson Big 10
College football's conference realignment is a hot topic right now. Florida State (FSU) and Clemson, two major teams in the ACC, have sued the conference, showing their dissatisfaction. This could mean big changes for the ACC. If the ACC breaks up, many think FSU and Clemson will join the SEC. However, some believe they might join the Big Ten instead.
Athlon Sports suggested that after the lawsuits, the Big Ten might quickly add FSU, Clemson, Georgia Tech, and Miami, expanding to 22 teams. The Big Ten wants to enter the Florida market for more money, so FSU and Miami are key targets. While it’s bold to think Clemson will join the Big Ten, many still see them as more likely to end up in the SEC.
Clemson ACC Lawsuit
Clemson University has taken legal action against the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) on March 19, challenging the conference's grant of rights deal and withdrawal penalty. This move, similar to Florida State's actions, indicates a potential desire by both schools to potentially leave the ACC amid ongoing changes in college sports conferences.
In response to Clemson's initial complaint, the ACC countered with its lawsuit in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, the following day. Clemson alleges damages from the ACC, accusing the conference of making false statements about its media rights.
A recent update by ESPN's David Hale revealed that Judge Louis Bledsoe ruled in favor of the ACC's jurisdiction over the case, asserting that North Carolina courts are the appropriate venue to interpret the Grant of Rights Agreements and ACC's bylaws involved in these legal disputes.
While Clemson has stated that their lawsuit isn't solely about leaving the ACC, the outcome of these legal battles could determine their future conference affiliation. The proceedings continue with further hearings scheduled, underscoring the seriousness of Clemson's legal challenge against the ACC.
Clemson Football Schedule
Date | Team | Place |
August 31, 2024 | Georgia | Atlanta, GA (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) |
September 7, 2024 | App State | Clemson, SC (Memorial Stadium) |
September 21, 2024 | NC State | Clemson, SC (Memorial Stadium) |
September 28, 2024 | Stanford | Clemson, SC (Memorial Stadium) |
October 5, 2024 | Florida State | Tallahassee, FL |
October 12, 2024 | Wake Forest | Winston-Salem, NC |
October 19, 2024 | Virginia | Clemson, SC (Memorial Stadium) |
November 2, 2024 | Louisville | Clemson, SC (Memorial Stadium) |
November 9, 2024 | Virginia Tech | Blacksburg, VA |
November 16, 2024 | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, PA |
November 23, 2024 | The Citadel | Clemson, SC (Memorial Stadium) |
November 30, 2024 | South Carolina | Clemson, SC (Memorial Stadium) |
- All home games are played at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, SC.