• Loading stock data...
Monday, September 1, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Get your ticket now!

After Unbeaten FSU’s Snub, Financial and Legal Fallout

  • FSU, ACC to take sizable revenue hit despite Seminoles’ undefeated season.
  • Florida politicians look to make more formal response to committee selections.
Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK

The four-team version of the College Football Playoff debuted in 2014, in part as a response to perennial chaos within the sport and widespread division over how to determine a national champion. 

Nearly a decade later, that chaos has not only remained but reached a new and unprecedented level this weekend.

On Sunday, the CFP’s selection committee chose a quartet of Michigan, Washington, Texas, and Alabama, leaving out a 13-0 Florida State team that won the ACC title and now becomes the first undefeated Power 5 conference champion to be excluded.

“I am disgusted and infuriated with the committee’s decision to have what was earned on the field taken away because a small group of people decided they knew better than the results of the games,” said FSU head coach Mike Norvell. “What is the point of playing games? … What is the motivation to schedule challenging non-conference games? 

“What happened goes against everything that is true and right in college football.”

Beyond the chorus of recriminations coming from Norvell and other FSU administrators, sources suggested to Front Office Sports that new Florida State legislation may emerge from the situation, and state Sen. Corey Simon called for a lawsuit.

Financial Implications

Next season the CFP will begin a 12-team format that if used this year would have avoided the Florida State situation. But that is little solace to the Seminoles and the ACC given the revenue already lost due to the CFP decision.

A potential $6 million ACC payout, had the Seminoles reached the CFP, now becomes $4 million as FSU instead plays No. 6 Georgia in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30. Norvell, meanwhile, will see a minimum $500,000 bonus (which could have risen to $950,000 with a CFP title) reduced to $200,000. Not making the CFP could also have long-term impacts on recruiting and business operations surrounding the Seminoles’ football program. That on top of losing any chance at the recruiting and business-operation impact of a national championship. 

Florida State already has been frustrated with the current state of revenue sharing within the ACC, and in college sports as a whole, and the school has looked to private equity as a potential aid.

Meanwhile, the SEC retained its run of having at least one team in each of the 10 iterations of the CFP.

“That’s not the real world of college football,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said on ESPN’s College GameDay on the prospect of leaving out a team from his conference. “Let’s go back to ‘Sesame Street’ to make it real basic, but because one of these things is not like the other, and that is the Southeastern Conference.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The Big Money Behind Minor League Baseball’s Renaming Revolution

Teams are rebranding for local pride—and huge revenue.

MLB Extends Leaves of Clase, Ortiz as Betting Probe Continues

Their paid non-disciplinary leaves have been extended “until further notice.”
Aug 6, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Son Heung-min poses during an LAFC introductory press conference at BMO Stadium

Son Heung-Min Effect Will Hit Big for MLS and L.A.

With a record signing, the South Korean supernova has landed at LAFC.

4 of 10 Highest-Paid CFB Coaches Lose in Week 1

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer was the biggest surprise of the Week 1 losers.

Featured Today

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) after a touchdown catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.

The Most Expensive Roster Year in College Football History

The House settlement created revenue-sharing—and a big NIL loophole.
August 26, 2025

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.

Cody Campbell Asks Congress to Allow National College Sports TV Package

The billionaire’s ad will air on ESPN and Fox this weekend.
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field.
August 28, 2025

Coach Prime Enters Year 3 at Colorado With New Challenges

The Buffaloes have sold out their season tickets yet again.
Ohio State mascot Brutus interacts with Lee Corso on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the College Football Playoff first round game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Tennessee Volunteers in Columbus on Dec. 21, 2024.
August 29, 2025

End of an Era: Lee Corso Makes His Final ‘College GameDay’ Appearance

After 431 iconic headgear picks, the iconic coach bids farewell.
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
August 27, 2025

Fox, YouTube TV Avoid Blackout With Short-Term Deal

The upcoming Texas–Ohio State clash will remain available to subscribers.
August 27, 2025

College Football Players Projected to Earn $1.9B This Year, Nearly Double 2024

The spike comes in the first season of revenue-sharing.
Oregon State Beavers quarterback Gevani McCoy (4) scrambles out of the pocket during an NCAA football game against UNLV at Reser Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Corvallis, Ore.
August 27, 2025

Pac-12 Strikes New Football, Basketball Deal With The CW

The latest step in its resurrection after being picked apart in 2023.
Oct 17, 2015; Evanston, IL, USA; A general view of the Northwestern Wildcats logo at midfield before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Ryan Field.
August 25, 2025

Northwestern AD Singles Out Volleyball As Sport to Invest In

Northwestern athletic director Mark Jackson spoke to Front Office Sports.