By Scott Salomon
The State of Florida takes its college football seriously. So seriously, in fact, that Governor Ron DeSantis (R) issued a line item in his 2024 budget proposal that Florida State University receive $1 million from the State to sue the College Football Playoff Committee for being left out of the four-team tournament.
On Tuesday, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said “hold my beer” and went one step further.
The Republican AG issued an Antitrust Civil Investigation Demand to CFP Administration, LLC, the corporate entity behind the playoff committee, to ascertain why Florida State was left on the outside looking in.
“My Office is launching an investigation to examine if the Committee was involved in any anticompetitive conduct. As it stands, the Committee’s decision reeks of partiality, so we are demanding answers — not only for FSU, but for all schools, teams and fans of college football,” Moody wrote. “In Florida, merit matters. If it’s attention they were looking for, the Committee certainly has our attention now.”
FSU was allegedly left out solely based on the fact that its starting quarterback Jordan Travis is sidelined with a broken leg and that as a result, despite going undefeated with and without Travis, they were not good enough to play Michigan. The committee selected a one-loss Alabama team in place of the ACC Champion Seminoles.
Bill Hancock, the Executive Director of the College Football Playoff and not a fan of Moody, stated that this was a misuse of government resources and that it will not be treated lightly.
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“We will carefully review this demand for information, but it sure seems to be an overly aggressive reaction to a college football ranking in which some fans somewhere were bound to be disappointed.”
Moody’s office wants all documents about the situation, including all communications between the ACC, the SEC, and ESPN. Moody released a video on Tuesday, filmed on the FSU campus, illustrating her position and the intent behind her investigation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1CoEqY87-Y
Moody graduated from the University of Florida, the Seminoles’ biggest rival, but was quick to act in defense of FSU, which resides in the state capitol.
“I’m a lifelong Gator, but I’m also the Florida attorney general, and I know injustice when I see it,” Moody said. “No rational person or college football fan can look at this situation and not question the result. The NCAA, conferences, and the College Football Playoff Committee are subject to antitrust laws.”
Moody spoke about the fact that the snub will cost the Seminoles not only a shot at the national championship but also take away potential revenue for both FSU and the ACC.
“What’s clear is the need for more information about the unprecedented decision made by a group of 13 in secret that, for the first time ever, left an undefeated Power Five conference champion out of the playoff,” Moody said. “This stunning decision not only disappointed millions of fans — it cost this university and the ACC millions of dollars.”
Committee Chairman Boo Corrigan issued a statement earlier this month indicating why the Seminoles were left off of the dance card, but Moody wants to get behind the quote and see the data that supports the decision.
“Florida State is a different team than they were through the first 11 weeks,” Corrigan said, referring to how the team lost its star quarterback, Travis, to an injury late in the season.
Seminoles’ Athletic Director also commented on his football team being left out of the national semifinal.
“To eliminate them from a chance to compete for a national championship is an unwarranted injustice that shows complete disregard and disrespect for their performance and accomplishments. It is unforgivable,” he said.
