Ron DeSantis Has Earmarked $1 Million in Florida’s Budget to Sue Over Florida State’s Playoff Snub

Meg Kinnard/AP

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is apparently so incensed by Florida State’s absence from the College Football Playoff that he’s willing to put some of the state’s money aside to sue the NCAA.

The Selection Committee’s decision has been met with a great deal of criticism since it announced the four teams that will compete in the CFP. Florida State, which went undefeated in the regular season and won the ACC championship, was left out of the playoff and will instead face Georgia in the Orange Bowl.

Those who agree with the decision have pointed to the fact that FSU is down to its third-string quarterback due to injuries, while those against the decision believe that shouldn’t matter. ESPN commentator Mike Greenberg — who’s part of the latter group — pointed out that FSU’s strength of record was third in the country.

DeSantis agreed.

“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,” the governor said on Twitter on Sunday. “Congratulations to @FSUFootball on an outstanding season and winning the ACC championship!”

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.

Congratulations to @FSUFootball on an outstanding season and winning the ACC championship!

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) December 3, 2023

Now, as pointed out by MeidasTouch editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski, DeSantis has taken things a step further by allocating $1 million of the state budget to funding litigation for the NCAA’s decision.

The 2024 budget shows $1 million to be used for “expenses related to the litigation initiated by the Board of Governors or Florida State University, related to actions taken by the College Football Playoff Selection Committee on December 3, 2023, resulting in the Florida State University football team to be ranked fifth in the nation and, consequently, ineligible to participate in the College Football Playoff games.”

Filipkowski also pointed out the fact the funds wouldn’t even be allocated until months after the college football season ends.