Evaluating whether ESPN could decline alleged 2027-36 option in its ACC media rights contract

The ACC Grant of Rights last through the 2036 season, making it difficult, if not impossible, for teams to leave the league.

However, Florida State revealed in its lawsuit against the ACC, that in 2027, ESPN has an option of not continuing its deal with the ACC.

Financially, it seems to make sense for ESPN top opt into the deal, as it is viewed as favorable compared to other conferences. However, ESPN could still opt to decline the option and leave the ACC without a media rights contract.

Andy Staples of On3 spoke on his show on Thursday about whether or not ESPN will pick up the option.

“We’ll find out in 11 months, but the existing contract is still cheaper, probably, for ESPN,” Staples said. “It still provides all of this inventory for what they consider a reasonable amount of money. So I would lean towards yea, they would probably try to pick it up.”

With that said, if Florida State is able to find a way out of the Grant of Rights and other schools also leave, it could impact ESPN’s decision.

“Now obviously, if the membership of the league changes, like if Florida State were to find a way to buy itself out, then maybe that makes it different. But I don’t know that ESPN just says ‘no, we’re done with this thing,'” Staples said.

“The other part of that is, the schools that would be left in the ACC in that case … because the Grant of Rights is tied to the ESPN contract. So your Boston Colleges, your Syracuses, are they filing lawsuits immediately if that option doesn’t get picked up? It doesn’t mean that they’re going to win, but could they tie it up for a while? It’s a legitimate question.”

ESPN reportedly has until next February to decide whether or not to pick up its option with the ACC. Staples believes the next several months are going to be interesting.

“I think these next few months are going to be very interesting in the ACC-Florida State tug of war. Because as we get closer to that February deadline, you’re probably going to see the rhetoric ratchet up on both sides,” Staples said. “I’ve said all along, I don’t think this case goes to trial. I think in both cases, whether Florida State lost at trial or the ACC lost at trial, it’s a disaster for whoever loses.

“And I think it’s a worse disaster for the ACC if they were to lose at trial. And if you think there’s a non-zero chance of you losing, you do not want to go to trial, which means you figure out a number. That’s how most of this stuff usually works. Somebody figures out a number.”