Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed Tuesday to reserve $1 million in state funds for possible litigation over Florida State University’s exclusion from this year’s College Football Playoff.
While unveiling his budget proposal for 2024-25, DeSantis revealed his plans to set aside the money and blasted the playoff committee against the Seminoles despite their 13-0 record and Atlantic Coast Conference championship — asserting that FSU’s “earning a spot” alone would be denied by a “very, very controversial.”
The governor explained that the $1 million would cover “any litigation expenses that may come as a result of the very, very bad decision by the College Football Playoff to exclude undefeated teams.”
It is unclear whether Florida State will pursue litigation or what settlement may be sought.
“What we learned today is that you can go undefeated and win your conference championship game, but the College Football Playoff committee will ignore this decision. Congrats to @FSUFootball on an outstanding season and winning the ACC championship!” DeSantis wrote on X Sunday after Florida State’s rejection was official.
Ron DeSantis has not promised to file a lawsuit, but his team is actively exploring one. Getty Images
What we learned today is that you can go undefeated and win your conference championship game, but the College Football Playoff committee will ignore these results.
Congratulation to @FSUFootball on a stellar season and won the ACC championship!
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) December 3, 2023
In the four-team playoff, held on New Year’s Day, top-ranked and undefeated Big Ten champion Michigan will battle 12-1 SEC champion Alabama in one semifinal at the Rose Bowl. In the second semifinal, held at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, undefeated Pac-12 champion and second-ranked Washington will face the winner of No. 3 Big 12 Texas, which has a 12-1 record and a head-to-head win over Alabama to their credit.
Florida State, which lost star quarterback Jordan Travis to a broken leg in the penultimate game of the regular season against North Alabama, will have to make do with a spot in the Dec. 30 Orange Bowl against SEC runner-up Georgia.
Head coach Mike Norvell of the Florida State Seminoles holds the trophy after defeating the Louisville Cardinals in the ACC Championship at Bank of America Stadium on Dec. 2 Getty Images
Other prominent Floridians also condemned the humiliation, with Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) writing to the committee demanding “total transparency … about how this decision was reached and the factors that may have played a role in reaching this decision.”
Former President Donald Trump used the Florida State upset to bash his rival for the 2024 GOP nomination.
“The State of Florida has been treated very badly by the ‘Committee.’ They became the first Power Five team to be eliminated from the College Football Playoff. Terrible lobbying effort… Let’s blame DeSanctimonious!!!” the 77-year-old posted on Truth Social, using one of his pet nicknames for the Florida governor.
Donald Trump blamed Ron DeSantis for the insult. Getty Images
DeSantis shrugged off the broadside in an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham.
“He also sided with Disney against us when we stood up for the children,” he said. “He also said [Andrew] Cuomo in New York is doing COVID better than us. And he attacked me for being pro-life.”
The governor concluded by once again demanding that Trump take part in the debate, telling the former president: “Say it in front of me.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
