Ron DeSantis Wants $1 Million For Florida State To Sue NCAA Over Football Playoff Snub
Never let it be said that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis doesn’t have his priorities straight.
That’s because his latest decision suggests he doesn’t.
DeSantis is apparently so miffed that Florida State’s undefeated football team was not invited into the college playoff that he lashed out at the NCAA’s College Football Playoff committee on Sunday:
“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.”
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
On Tuesday, DeSantis announced he wanted to take a drastic ― and some would say petty ― move to rectify the snub by setting aside $1 million in the state budget to help pay for “any litigation expenses that may come as a result of this really, really poor decision by the College Football Playoff,”according to the Tampa Bay Times.
I have included in my budget recommendations $1 million for litigation expenses that might come as a result of the NCAA’s poor decision to exclude our undefeated @FSUFootball team from the college football playoffs.
We are with them all the way! pic.twitter.com/YAENaXMJUL— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) December 5, 2023
Currently, the university and the State University System Board of Governors are exploring possible ways to deal with the snub, but DeSantis said nothing will probably happen before the Jan. 1 semifinals at the Rose Bowl (Michigan vs. Alabama) and Sugar Bowl (Texas vs. Washington), the Times reported.
The governor also admitted he’s not sure what effect litigation might have.
“It’s unfortunate that we have to even do that, but we are going to put aside $1 million and let the chips fall where they may on that,” DeSantis said.
Although Jimmy Patronis, the state’s chief financial officer, seemed open to setting aside the money in the event Florida State goes after the NCAA, many in the social media bleachers wondered if there were more appropriate uses for $1 million.
We can all agree that Florida State was robbed, but can we maybe use that $1,000,000 on veteran homelessness or substance abuse treatment? Let’s change lives, yes? https://t.co/wK2N1caEID
— Travis Akers (@travisakers) December 5, 2023
Meatball Ron would like the Florida taxpayers to fund a frivolous lawsuit that will go nowhere
Since Trump, I’m convinced the Republicans only policy position is crazy litigation. https://t.co/nJQ3rVQPQo— Mickey Millsap (@mickmillsap) December 5, 2023
What we really learned today is how senators and governors are more worried about football than the people. We also learned there’s 100mil to sue for FSU but not enough money to give HBCUs what’s owed. Make it make sense Ron. 🤦🏾♂️ https://t.co/JPxI94Btrd
— Mayor of Orlando (@Mankie407) December 5, 2023
Republicans folks. They burn your money on stupid shit. Raise your taxes to pay for it. Then convince you to make sure Elon pays less in taxes. https://t.co/9f930NPYVC
— James Holloway (@jholloway83) December 5, 2023
DeSantis may want to earmark the money, but it would have pass in the state legislature before it could be sent to the university.
Attorney and Meidas Touch editor Ron Filipkowski pointed out the folly of the governor’s plan.
“What makes this even more ridiculous is that this money would not even be allocated until months after the college playoff is already over with, so clearly there is zero substance to this,” he wrote.
