CFP Expands to 24 Teams After Media Rights Deal with ESPN

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The College Football Playoff (CFP) has expanded to 24 teams after reaching a media rights deal with ESPN, marking a significant shift in college football’s postseason structure. The agreement, which includes a 5-year, $1.7 billion deal, will bring the expanded playoff to fruition in 2027. The new format, described as a ’19+4+1′ model, will include 19 at-large bids, four reserved for Power Four champions, and one for the highest-rated Group of Six champion.

Changes to Playoff Format

Under the new agreement, first- and second-round games will be played on campuses, while quarterfinal and semifinal games will continue in traditional bowls like the Sugar Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Cotton Bowl. The move comes after significant resistance from SEC Chairman Greg Sankey, who initially preferred a 16-team format that would have preserved conference championship games. However, Sankey and his broadcast partner eventually relented to the 24-team format, which was supported by the Big 10, ACC, Big 12, and Notre Dame.

Financial and Accessibility Considerations

The Power Four conferences will see increased revenue under the 24-team playoff, with the deal adding more than $320 million annually to ESPN’s existing agreement, which averages $1.3 billion annually. The decision to expand was driven by a desire to increase opportunities for FBS programs, student-athletes, and fan bases to participate in the Playoff and have a chance to play for the CFP National Championship. The expanded format will feature 16 on-campus Playoff games, bringing Playoff football to more students and local fans.

Replacing Conference Championship Revenue

A major point of contention for conference commissioners, particularly the SEC, was replacing the lost income from conference championship games, which have historically generated up to $250 million annually. The expanded playoff calendar did not allow conferences to retain these games, but the new media rights deal aims to compensate by increasing the potential annual rights fee.

Source: Breitbart

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claire.thomson