DeSantis allocates $1 million for legal expenses linked to FSU football playoffs slight

Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has set aside $1 million in state funds to handle any potential legal expenses stemming from the College Football Playoff Selection Committee's decision to exclude Florida State University from the playoffs, despite its undefeated season.

The panel instead selected the Universities of Michigan, Washington, Texas, and Alabama to participate in the playoffs. The exclusion of FSU, it said, was primarily due to the injury of starting quarterback Jordan Travis. The decision has prompted furor from Florida politicians, GOP Sen. Rick Scott, and even former President Donald Trump.

"But what we decided to do, we’re setting aside a million dollars for any litigation expenses that may become as a result of this really, really poor decision by the college football playoffs to exclude an undefeated team who won a big Power Five conference championship," the governor said in a press conference, The Hill reported. "We had one of our schools, Florida State, go undefeated this year and win the conference championship... They earned a spot in the college football playoffs, and they were excluded from that, and I think was something that’s been very, very controversial."

Former President Donald Trump on Monday lamented that "Florida State was treated very badly by the 'Committee.' They become the first Power Five team to be left out of the College Football Playoffs. Really bad lobbying effort...Lets blame DeSanctimonious!!!" he posted. Trump's jab at the governor followed DeSantis on Sunday excoriating the panel for its snub of the Seminoles.

It remains unclear what legal recourse or standing, if any, the state may have to challenge the panel's decision. 

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.