"The College Football Playoff will remain a 12-team field in 2026, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has publicly supported a 16-team model, but Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti would only agree to it if Sankey committed to a 24-team field after three years, sources told ESPN. Multiple sources have said that's not something Sankey was ready to do at this time."
"In March 2024, the CFP and ESPN agreed to a six-year, $7.8 billion contract that ensures the network will remain the sole media rights holder of the event through the 2031-32 season. During those contract negotiations, the 10 FBS conferences and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua signed a memorandum of understanding that gave the Big Ten and SEC the bulk of control over the playoff's future format."
"The contract was built for either a 12- or 14-team field, but momentum for a 16-team playoff had increased in recent months. As the sole rights holder, ESPN imposed a deadline of Dec. 1, 2025, for the CFP to determine its format, but sources said the SEC asked for an extension, which was granted until Jan. 23. CFP executive director Rich Clark said there will be a Dec. 1 deadline every year to inform ESPN of any format changes."
Sources indicate the College Football Playoff will remain a 12-team field in 2026 because of a stalemate between the SEC and Big Ten over expansion. The SEC supported a 16-team model, while the Big Ten would only agree if the SEC committed to a 24-team field after three years. CFP leaders did not object to staying at 12 for another season as the system enters its third year. The Big Ten wants to see how the selection committee evaluates teams after the ACC and SEC move to nine-game league schedules. A six-year, $7.8 billion deal secured ESPN as sole rights holder through 2031-32.
Read at ESPN.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]