Very interesting result of the FSU suit vs the ACC was a confirmation BY the ACC that the EXTENSION of the option period granted to ESPN to extend the media agreement WAS IN FACT AN AMENDMENT TO THE 2016 AGREEMENT. The extension of the time period from 2021 to February 2025 was described by ESPN as an AMENDMENT in repeated phrases in the extension agreement and, since ANY MEDIA RIGHTS AGREEMENT AMENDMENT REQUIRES 2/3 MEMBER APPROVAL the extension granted unilaterally by Phillips is VOID (that should be a judges' ruling).
That is huge as it confirms not only that the current ESPN media agreement expires on June 30, 2027, but it also confirms that ESPN has no authority to extend that agreement even if they so desire. If that is the ruling, then every ACC program is free to leave with all media rights, just paying the ACC exit fee, for the 2027 football season.
That is huge as it confirms not only that the current ESPN media agreement expires on June 30, 2027, but it also confirms that ESPN has no authority to extend that agreement even if they so desire. If that is the ruling, then every ACC program is free to leave with all media rights, just paying the ACC exit fee, for the 2027 football season.
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