Florida State has personalized its legal battle with the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The Seminoles filed an amended complaint against the league late Monday that alleges former commissioner John Swofford cost member schools millions of dollars by acting in the best interest of his son who worked at television partner Raycom Sports.
FSU added 21 pages to its complaint filed in Leon County Circuit Court in response to the league’s amended document that accused the school of breach of contract. The ACC says the Seminoles broke promises when they legally challenged an agreement that binds the school to the league for the next dozen years.
The ACC initially sued the Florida State Board of Trustees in North Carolina in late December, asking a court to uphold the grant of rights as a valid and enforceable contract. Florida State is seeking a quick and easy path out of the conference instead of paying more than $500 million in exit fees and penalties.
The sides have gone back and forth since, with the Seminoles making the latest allegations. This version rebutted several of the league’s previous claims and questioned the legality of the ACC’s complaint. Most noticeable was how it took aim at Swofford and his family ties to Raycom, a regional sports network based in North Carolina.