Neff Comments on Ongoing Legal Battle Against ACC

One of the biggest stories in college football over the offseason revolved around the lawsuit filed by Clemson against the ACC.

The university filed suit against the conference in Pickens County back in March, asking for clarity on the Grant of Rights, with Clemson arguing that it should have full ownership of its media rights once it leaves the ACC, no matter when that might happen. The ACC then filed a countersuit against the school one day later in North Carolina.

On Wednesday, Athletic Director Graham Neff met with the media inside of the Smart Family Media Center and was asked to provide the latest on the suit.

“There’s not a whole lot in-depth I can go in there,” Neff said on Wednesday. “We’ll let the court process play out and our legal team to continue to with that strategy.”

The two sides have continued to duke it out in the courtroom, in what looks to potentially be a long and drawn-out process. However, outside the courtroom, Neff maintains that everyone is still working together amicably.

“Commissioner Phillips had some really appropriate and shared comments back at football media days in July,” Neff said. “Just the professional nature of the relationships and what his role is. What athletic directors roles are, what my roles is. So we are going to continue to act and I could not have felt more supported from his chair in the day-to-day.”

While Neffs continues to say that Clemson is looking to do what is best for Clemson from a big picture standpoint, for now everything remains status quo, with all parties attempting to make the best out of a very unusual situation.

“I’ve been real consistent with our staff, our coaches and our student athletes about the expectations for us to be great members of the conference we are in,” Neff said. “That is a message point I’ve had and will remain consistent on.”

“That means big picture of how we are positioning and strategizing for Clemson in a fluid dynamic environment but also day-to-day in how we compete and how we are professional in the settings and circles that we are all in in various ways. I guess I am reciprocating some of Commissioner Phillips’ comments and the professional nature of it but also for us to continue to do what is best for Clemson. Which is to continue to be able to navigate the changing landscape.”

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