Florida Attorney General Launches Antitrust Investigation into College Football Playoff Selection Committee

The probe follows the controversial exclusion of the undefeated Florida State University Seminoles from the playoffs, raising questions about potential antitrust violations.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has launched an antitrust investigation into the College Football Playoff (CFP) selection committee over its decision to exclude the undefeated Florida State University (FSU) Seminoles from the playoffs.
The investigation seeks to determine if the CFP and its business partners, including ESPN, were involved in any anticompetitive conduct that might violate antitrust law.
Moody's investigation will demand a wide range of materials, including all communications regarding playoff deliberations, the decision, and the formulation of media talking points to explain the decision.
The potential antitrust problem for CFP would be if they conspired to exclude FSU in an anticompetitive way, particularly if the process breached voting rules or violated ordinary operating procedures for picking teams.
Moody's announcement follows criticism from other Florida officials, including Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump, who have also questioned the fairness of the CFP's decision.