CHARLOTTE, N.C. — ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said Monday that the league would fight lawsuits with Clemson and Florida State “for as long as it takes,” adding that “this conference is bigger than any one school or schools” as the league prepares to enter the football season embroiled in court with two of its top programs.
In his opening remarks at the ACC Kickoff, Phillips vigorously defended the league as questions arose about its long-term future. Florida State and Clemson are involved in lawsuits against the ACC over league withdrawal penalties and entitlement, and the league has filed countersuits against both schools.
“I can say that we will fight to protect the ACC and our members for as long as it takes,” Phillips said. “We have confidence in this league and that it will continue to be a premier conference in college athletics for the long term. These disputes remain extremely disruptive, disruptive and incredibly damaging to the league.”
He noted that both Clemson and Florida State unanimously signed the rights agreement in 2013 and again in 2016 and “frankly, enthusiastically embraced our current television contract and the launch of the ACC Network. The ACC, our collective membership and the conference office deserve better.”
Phillips also defended former commissioner John Swofford, who was named in Florida State's amended lawsuit several months ago. Florida State, which filed its suit in December, alleged “chronic fiduciary mismanagement and bad faith,” and maintained that Swofford insisted in talks with potential bidders for ACC broadcast rights in 2010 that Raycom Sports be included in any new deal signed by the ACC.
According to the complaint, Raycom had a long-standing relationship with ACC but was struggling financially and needed to retain a package of ACC broadcast rights to survive. John Swofford's son, Chad Swofford, was working for Raycom at the time and eventually became the company's vice president and general manager.
“John Swofford is a decent and honorable man, and he is highly respected in our industry,” Phillips said. “He led his conference with a steady hand for more than two decades, and he did so through consensus and compromise.”
Phillips added: “There's not a day that goes by that I don't spend some time on legal cases. I don't think that's going to change. We've proven that you have to keep going even with these kinds of distractions.”
He also said his working relationships with Clemson and Florida State have not changed and told his staff the league would not treat any school differently.
“This doesn't have to be bad,” Phillips said. “This doesn't have to be about hate and all the other things that we see flowing freely in our societies. [have our] stance, but we will do so in a respectful manner.”
They were his strongest comments in the seven months since Florida State filed its lawsuit. Clemson filed its suit in March.
“Strong moments deserve strong support and strong leadership,” Phillips said Monday when asked why he seemed more assertive. “I don't know that I've changed at all, other than I stand by everything I've said. You either believe what's been signed or you don't. We're going to do everything we can to protect the league. This has been a league that started long before me, 71 years ago, and it will continue to exist long after I'm gone.
“What is it that convinces us? I understand where we are going. This conference is bigger than any school or schools.”
