Mods, I would humbly suggest that there be a stickied thread that keeps all of the links to the FSU-ACC lawsuit legal documents in one convenient spot

ACC lawsuit against FSU 12/21/2023

https://www.scribd.com/document/69965263... 1/17/2024

Florida State's lawsuit webpage with links

Florida State's January 29 filing

ACC Motion to dismiss in FL 2/16

ESPN's brief in support of contracts being trade secrets

*************

3/19/2024. Clemson files suit against the ACC

247sports Florida State has the motion on Scribd, also you can download a PDF.

https://247sports.com/college/florida-st...226485594/

Not a hugely controversial deal, but the ACC served notice on ESPN that ESPN has 20 days to file something about the contracts being kept secret.

(02-05-2024 06:23 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  Not a hugely controversial deal, but the ACC served notice on ESPN that ESPN has 20 days to file something about the contracts being kept secret.

How will ESPN respond here?

Will that response indicate with whom the ACC's media partner sides in the Jim Phillips vs. FSU steel cage match?

Might we get an early indication of how ESPN is positioning itself for when FSU (and others?) head for the ACC (pick one) escape hatch/trapdoor?

(02-06-2024 09:08 AM)PeteTheChop Wrote:  

(02-05-2024 06:23 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  Not a hugely controversial deal, but the ACC served notice on ESPN that ESPN has 20 days to file something about the contracts being kept secret.

How will ESPN respond here?

Will that response indicate with whom the ACC's media partner sides in the Jim Phillips vs. FSU steel cage match?

Might we get an early indication of how ESPN is positioning itself for when FSU (and others?) head for the ACC (pick one) escape hatch/trapdoor?

I don't think ESPN ever expected their contract to be considered a Trade Secret.

(02-06-2024 09:18 AM)ArmoredUpKnight Wrote:  

(02-06-2024 09:08 AM)PeteTheChop Wrote:  

(02-05-2024 06:23 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  Not a hugely controversial deal, but the ACC served notice on ESPN that ESPN has 20 days to file something about the contracts being kept secret.

How will ESPN respond here?

Will that response indicate with whom the ACC's media partner sides in the Jim Phillips vs. FSU steel cage match?

Might we get an early indication of how ESPN is positioning itself for when FSU (and others?) head for the ACC (pick one) escape hatch/trapdoor?

I don't think ESPN ever expected their contract to be considered a Trade Secret.

ESPN will intervene as having a deal public hurts ESPN's media rights negotiations going forward.

Do you attach a current pay stub to your resumé when you apply for a job? ESPN is reticent to lose any negotiation leverage regardless of how know the terms are.

(02-06-2024 09:18 AM)ArmoredUpKnight Wrote:  I don't think ESPN ever expected their contract to be considered a Trade Secret.

In your estimation, who has more to lose if the "Trade Secret(s)" enter the public domain: the ACC or ESPN?

(02-06-2024 09:38 AM)PeteTheChop Wrote:  

(02-06-2024 09:18 AM)ArmoredUpKnight Wrote:  I don't think ESPN ever expected their contract to be considered a Trade Secret.

In your estimation, who has more to lose if the "Trade Secret(s)" enter the public domain: the ACC or ESPN?

The ACC... because their being sued...

The ESPN/ACC Media Deal is really old, its from 2016. The language in ESPN's most recent contracts have probably been updated since then. The most recent SEC contract is probably the standard language going forward. So the ACC deal going public doesn't harm their ability to negotiate in the future. Every conference has met with ESPN and signed or rejected new deals since the 2016 ACC deal was signed.

John Skipper the architect of the deal doesn't even work at ESPN anymore.

(02-06-2024 10:42 AM)ArmoredUpKnight Wrote:  The ACC... because their being sued...

The ESPN/ACC Media Deal is really old, its from 2016. The language in ESPN's most recent contracts have probably been updated since then. The most recent SEC contract is probably the standard language going forward. So the ACC deal going public doesn't harm their ability to negotiate in the future. Every conference has met with ESPN and signed or rejected new deals since the 2016 ACC deal was signed.

John Skipper the architect of the deal doesn't even work at ESPN anymore.

Zero question ESPN will, if necessary, back the bus over a disgraced former exec to help preserve the network's best interests going forward.

Is Phillips in position to do the same with his predecessor who happens to be the co-architect of the ACC's media rights deal?

(02-06-2024 09:18 AM)ArmoredUpKnight Wrote:  I don't think ESPN ever expected their contract to be considered a Trade Secret.

Oh I disagree.

ESPN much prefers that Mike Aresco (or whoever the new guy is) not know the exact terms of the Sun Belt ESPN contract and vice versa.

It's not like the ACC is the only league where the ESPN contract is hidden in a locked cabinet in the conference office. It's all of the leagues.

Now, does ESPN's preference add up to anything they can make an argument for in a legal filing? I have no idea.

Cliffs notes?

(02-06-2024 09:23 AM)LeeNobody Wrote:  

(02-06-2024 09:18 AM)ArmoredUpKnight Wrote:  

(02-06-2024 09:08 AM)PeteTheChop Wrote:  

(02-05-2024 06:23 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  Not a hugely controversial deal, but the ACC served notice on ESPN that ESPN has 20 days to file something about the contracts being kept secret.

How will ESPN respond here?

Will that response indicate with whom the ACC's media partner sides in the Jim Phillips vs. FSU steel cage match?

Might we get an early indication of how ESPN is positioning itself for when FSU (and others?) head for the ACC (pick one) escape hatch/trapdoor?

I don't think ESPN ever expected their contract to be considered a Trade Secret.

ESPN will intervene as having a deal public hurts ESPN's media rights negotiations going forward.

Do you attach a current pay stub to your resumé when you apply for a job? ESPN is reticent to lose any negotiation leverage regardless of how know the terms are.

Maybe not. Its a 10 year old contract. They may just stay out and save the attorney's fees.

(02-06-2024 10:53 AM)PeteTheChop Wrote:  

(02-06-2024 10:42 AM)ArmoredUpKnight Wrote:  ....
John Skipper the architect of the deal doesn't even work at ESPN anymore.

Zero question ESPN will, if necessary, back the bus over a disgraced former exec to help preserve the network's best interests going forward.

Is Phillips in position to do the same with his predecessor who happens to be the co-architect of the ACC's media rights deal?

He's being given the opportunity. There's a saying among war strategists: 'Leave your enemy a path to retreat.'

Florida State is aggressive, but also selective in its targets. Present leaders at the ACC and at ESPN have an opportunity to play peacemaker if they choose. By throwing their predecessors under the bus, the lawsuit gives them an opening to ride away from this battle wearing white hats—even if ACC schools leave.

(02-06-2024 04:17 PM)Gitanole Wrote:  

(02-06-2024 10:53 AM)PeteTheChop Wrote:  

(02-06-2024 10:42 AM)ArmoredUpKnight Wrote:  ....
John Skipper the architect of the deal doesn't even work at ESPN anymore.

Zero question ESPN will, if necessary, back the bus over a disgraced former exec to help preserve the network's best interests going forward.

Is Phillips in position to do the same with his predecessor who happens to be the co-architect of the ACC's media rights deal?

He's being given the opportunity. There's a saying among war strategists: 'Leave your enemy a path to retreat.'

Florida State is aggressive, but also selective in its targets. Present leaders at the ACC and at ESPN have an opportunity to play peacemaker if they choose. By throwing their predecessors under the bus, the lawsuit gives them an opening to ride away from this battle wearing white hats—even if ACC schools leave.

"We're so sorry. We didn't know..."

I think that could be a tough sell. But it's possible, I guess.

FSU Files Motion to Dismiss ACC Lawsuit in NC

(02-07-2024 10:36 PM)3BNole Wrote:  FSU Files Motion to Dismiss ACC Lawsuit in NC

Matt Baker, Tampa Bay Times

https://www.tampabay.com/sports/2024/02/...alignment/

Mr Baker elaborates on item 4 in the first link.

Florida State’s most interesting argument focuses on the ACC’s grant of rights—the document at the center of this potential half-a-billion-dollar dispute. The ACC contends that Florida State (and every other member) “knowingly and voluntarily” granted the “irrevocable” TV rights to their home games to the conference. The conference then sold them to ESPN and passed the funds back to FSU and its peers.

FSU’s latest filing argues that the school’s trustees never signed or approved the grant of rights; it was only signed by the university president. That’s important because, according to FSU, its board is the only entity with the legal authority to “contract and be contracted with.”

(02-08-2024 04:24 AM)Gitanole Wrote:  "FSU’s latest filing argues that the school’s trustees never signed or approved the grant of rights; it was only signed by the university president. That’s important because, according to FSU, its board is the only entity with the legal authority to 'contract and be contracted with.'"

From August 2023:

"When I say we have a good handle on [the ACC Grant of Rights]... we understand it, we have a lot of counsel on it... that will not be the document that keeps us from taking action, and I'll leave it at that."

— Peter Collins, Chairman, FSU Board of Trustees

Legal analysis from WriteForCalifornia


https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/guest-p...um=reader2

https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/guest-p...acc-part-1

https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/guest-p...vs-the-acc

https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/guest-p...cc-the-acc

https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/guest-p...he-acc-bb1

(02-08-2024 01:25 PM)random asian guy Wrote:  Legal analysis from WriteForCalifornia


https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/guest-p...um=reader2

https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/guest-p...acc-part-1

https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/guest-p...vs-the-acc

https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/guest-p...cc-the-acc

https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/guest-p...he-acc-bb1

This guy is going to LOVE the ACC. Sounds like a perfect replacement!