Florida AG demands ACC release ESPN contract, communications amid FSU dispute

The state of Florida’s fight against the ACC in light of Florida State‘s omission from the College Football Playoff is ramping up, with attorney general Ashley Moody joining the fray on Thursday.

According to a report from the Tampa Bay Times, Moody requested copies of several ACC contracts in a public records request.

Moody’s requested records pertain to anything related to Florida State, including the league’s grant-of-rights agreement and any other contracts or communications with the league’s TV partner, ESPN.

“One of Florida’s top universities is facing the possibility of forfeiting more than half a billion dollars, and the ACC is refusing to hand over the agreements at the center of this astronomical financial penalty,” Moody said in a statement.

“They are unlawfully keeping these documents locked away in North Carolina. However, North Carolina and Florida state laws are clear that these agreements are public records and must be handed over immediately. Today, I am taking action to ensure FSU and the public are able to review these agreements.”

The state of Florida’s push began after Florida State was left out of the four-team field for this year’s College Football Playoff despite having a perfect 13-0 record.

It was the first time in the playoff’s history that an undefeated Power Five team was left out.

Shortly after the announcement of the playoff teams and the exclusion of the ACC, Moody and the state of Florida leaped into action on Florida State’s behalf.

Moody announced an investigation into the College Football Playoff selection committee and its “secretive selection process.” Moody also sent a Civil Investigation Demand to the CFP selection committee seeking a number of communications and other documentation.

Moody, who claims to be a “lifelong Gator,” called the exclusion of the Seminoles an injustice in a statement announcing the investigation.

“I’m also the Florida Attorney General, and I know injustice when I see it. No rational person or college football fan can look at this situation and not question the result. The NCAA, conferences, and the College Football Playoff Committee are subject to antitrust laws,” Moody said in the release.

“My Office is launching an investigation to examine if the Committee was involved in any anticompetitive conduct. As it stands, the Committee’s decision reeks of partiality, so we are demanding answers—not only for FSU, but for all schools, teams and fans of college football. In Florida, merit matters. If it’s attention they were looking for, the Committee certainly has our attention now.”