CFP Opens Negotiating Window With ESPN Over Potential 24-Team Expansion
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The College Football Playoff has triggered a 30-day window to discuss financial terms as conferences split on the size of a future postseason field.
The College Football Playoff (CFP) announced Tuesday that it has triggered a 30-day negotiating window with ESPN to clarify financial considerations regarding a potential expansion to 24 teams, according to CBS Sports.
In a statement, the CFP noted that while the move allows for media rights discussions and the gathering of information, it does not constitute a formal commitment or decision to expand. The window grants ESPN exclusive rights to discuss firm terms, though CBS Sports reports the playoff could potentially go to market to seek offers from other companies.
Conference alignment on the issue remains divided. CBS Sports reports that the Big Ten, the ACC, and the Big 12 are all supporting a 24-team field. Conversely, the SEC is advocating for a 16-team playoff. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey stated that models indicate his league would see only marginal benefit from a 24-team expansion. In a memo obtained by Yahoo Sports, Sankey outlined demands for supporting a 24-team postseason, including a guarantee of 10 games against Notre Dame or power conference teams.
Scheduling is a primary hurdle for the expansion. CBS Sports notes that a 24-team playoff would likely eliminate conference championship games, which currently serve as major revenue sources. Moreover, the Big Ten stands as the sole conference without a mandate for a nonconference game against a power conference.
The CFP has until Dec. 1 to decide if the field will expand for the 2027 season. If no agreement is reached, the playoff will remain at 12 teams.