ACC Reaches Settlement with Clemson and FSU, Reducing Exit Fees

The new agreement lowers costs for schools to leave the conference and introduces revenue-sharing changes tied to TV viewership.

The ACC, Clemson, and Florida State have resolved ongoing legal disputes, approving a settlement to revise the conference's revenue-distribution model and exit fee structure.
Exit fees for leaving the ACC have been significantly reduced, starting at $165 million in 2026 and decreasing to $75 million by 2030-31, allowing departing schools to retain their media rights after payment.
The updated revenue-sharing model allocates 60% of TV revenues based on viewership performance, with the remaining 40% distributed equally among all member schools.
Clemson and FSU, seeking financial competitiveness with the SEC and Big Ten, are expected to benefit from the changes, potentially paving the way for their departure from the ACC.
The settlement aims to stabilize the ACC temporarily, but the 2030-31 season is viewed as a critical point for potential further realignment in college athletics.