FSU's legal battle against ACC has new development as Seminoles file fresh appeal of ACC lawsuit amid conference realignment moves

The Florida State Seminoles continue their legal battle with the Atlantic Coast Conference, as the university filed a petition in the North Carolina Supreme Court last Friday to appeal its initial loss. The North Carolina Business Court ruled in favor of the ACC last month.

Florida State argued that the ACC did not follow its voting protocols when it sued the school in the state of North Carolina. FSU argued the correct state to file this lawsuit is Florida and not North Carolina. Below is a snippet of its petition:

"In other words, the only subject matter of this dispute (according to the ACC) is FSU's intellectual property rights (FSU Media Rights) to all of FSU's home games played in Tallahassee and broadcast from Tallahassee using FSU facilities in Tallahassee for the next 12 years after FSU leaves the ACC. What could possibly be more Florida-centric?"

This will be intriguing to watch as a lower court in North Carolina ruled it didn't matter as the conference had filed an amended complaint a few weeks later, per the Tampa Bay Times.

What is next for Florida State Seminoles?

The Florida State Seminoles have still wanted to leave the conference, and some scenarios could take place. Right now, the buyout number for the Atlantic Coast Conference members to leave the conference is estimated at $574 million. Board of Trustees member and former Florida State quarterback Drew Weatherford discussed how he believes the school is leaving the conference in August last year:

"It's not a matter of if we leave [the ACC], in my opinion. It's a matter of who and when we leave." h/t On3

With the Board of Trustees wanting to leave, FSU will figure out a way to exit the conference in one way or another. The Seminoles can come to a settlement with the ACC for a buyout as a result to avoid some of the legal issues. However, it has been speculated as a potential resolution.

A buyout is always an option but could lead to massive ramifications throughout the remainder of teams in the conference that want to leave, as it would have a potential blueprint.