Dabo Swinney told reporters he’s the wrong person to ask about Clemson’s lawsuit against the ACC.
Clemson joined Florida State as the second school to sue the conference in an attempt to escape the Grant and Rights agreement and avoid fees associated with leaving the ACC. Following Wednesday’s spring practice, the Tigers head coach was asked about the situation.
Swinney had no comment, calling the lawsuit “so far out of my lane.” He redirected questions to Clemson President James Clements and athletic director Graham Neff.
“That’s PresidentClements.com and GrahamNeff.com,” Swinney said. “Or at AOL.com. However you want to get in touch with them. At Clemson.edu. They can answer all them questions. I’m just trying to — I know we’ve got a season. That’s all I’m focused on.”
On March 19, Clemson announced a lawsuit filed against the ACC in Pickens County, South Carolina. The school claimed it controls the media rights for its games if leaving the conference.
“Clemson also seeks a ruling regarding the unenforceability of the severe penalty the ACC is seeking to impose upon exiting members and confirmation that it does not owe a fiduciary duty to the conference as alleged by the ACC,” the school said. “The ACC’s position regarding the Grant of Rights, the exit penalty, and obligations owed by members to the conference, as detailed in its public statements and other court filings, leaves Clemson with no choice but to move forward with this lawsuit.”
The statement confirmed that Clemson has not provided any notice about leaving the ACC. Amid that legal drama, Swinney will look to lead his Tigers to their eighth ACC title since 2015.