Clemson athletic director Graham Neff met with the media on Tuesday afternoon and spoke on a litany of topics. Two of the prominent subjects he discussed were changes to Clemson’s meeting at the paw tradition following home football games and the university’s lawsuit against the ACC which reached its conclusion earlier this year.
In total, Graham Neff spoke to the media for nearly an hour.
In regard to the lawsuit, Neff made it clear that Clemson University achieved its desired goal in the proceedings, namely control over its media rights should it ever leave the ACC.
“The reasons why (the lawsuit) was initially filed were certainty around our future media rights,” Neff explained. “While that was uncertain before, now there is certainty on what that looks like for future media rights ownership. That was the primary (goal), just to have certainty on what that looks like, given our anticipation and our preparedness for the dynamic nature of college athletics in the years to come.”
Graham Neff, Clemson Athletic Director
As a result of the settlement with the conference, any ACC member school, including Clemson, who leaves will pay a flat exit fee and retain control over their media rights. Additionally, schools like Clemson and Florida State are slated to receive increased payouts as part of a new brand initiative that serves as a profitable source of income for the ACC’s two preeminent programs.
Clemson University could potentially see its payout increase by $15 million or more per year which would be more comparable to the marquee programs of the SEC and Big Ten. A better financial standing, according to Graham Neff, was another of the lawsuit’s primary aims.
“In addition, objectively, the financial position changing with ACC success initiatives, new viewership model,” he said. “The innovative nature, that Commissioner (Jim) Phillips has led through, is certainly something that we feel like is going to have big upside for Clemson. Not just because we’re Clemson, but we have to go earn it, continue to perform on the field and be a compelling brand and drive viewership, etcetera, consider different scheduling strategies, all these things are interrelated.”
Graham Neff, Clemson Athletic Director
Neff added, “So, very pleased with the outcomes of meeting our objectives of the future certainty around our media rights and current financial position.”
Another key topic of discussion was the meeting at the paw tradition following home games at Memorial Stadium. The ACC has decreed fines and penalties for any member school whose fans rush the field following games, but the gathering will still be permissible, and fans allowed onto the playing surface only after the visiting team’s players and coaches have safely left the field.
As athletic director, Graham Neff appealed to Clemson fans to help self-regulate and keep the university in compliance with the new policy.
“The Gathering at the Paw tradition (is) really, really special at Clemson. Really unique,” Neff said. “And something that, as you saw our statement from a couple of weeks ago, around the ACC policy, something that we want to continue. Now, it’s got to look different. We’re going to abide by and support the new ACC policy, and so we need our fans to help with that and recognition that we’re trying to balance respecting the unique tradition and continuing the unique tradition that we have while also respecting the policies that are at hand.”
Graham Neff, Clemson Athletic Director
He continued, “…and just the safety and environment of what postgame field looks like, particularly after charged games, LSU or otherwise. So, all that to be said, we are working on what the sequencing and what the postgame process looks like. Certainly, over the coming couple of weeks, we’re going to communicate to the fans what that looks like.”
Among measures already put in place will be added police and security personnel on hand for the LSU game. There has long been speculation that the ACC wanted to curtail fans leaving the seating area and entering onto the field or court, and those changes which have come to fruition will require the cooperation of both spectators, law enforcement, and game day staffers.
Some of the most memorable moments in recent Clemson Football memory have taken place during the Meeting at the Paw, including Dabo Swinney’s famous BYOG proclamation.
Neff appealed directly to fans to help in that effort.
“I’ll double down and say it again. We need our fans’ help and support and recognition (of the new policy), stated Neff. “And it’s a really passionate topic for me, too, in particular. So, we’re going to manage each game as they come. Seven a year, maybe more depending on play-off circumstances. And so those are our expectations for the first one for the LSU game.”
Graham Neff, Clemson Athletic Director
Clemson Football will open its season at home on Saturday, August 30 at 7:30 against LSU in a nationally televised game.
