The College Football Playoff (CFP) Management Committee announced Saturday it will continue talks with ESPN about expanding the playoff system.
ESPN held an exclusive 30-day negotiating period with the CFP Management Committee to discuss expanding the playoff from 12 to 24 teams, which ended Friday.
Although the negotiation window has passed, the CFP Management Committee said it would “continue to have ongoing discussions with ESPN regarding media rights connected to potential playoff expansion to 24 teams.”
“The dialogue throughout the window has been constructive, and we will carry these conversations forward with ESPN as we determine the path ahead. Given the confidential nature of these discussions, there isn’t more to share at this time. We will provide additional updates when appropriate,” the committee added.
The announcement does not say how long the exclusive talks will continue, but ESPN reported the negotiations will run into this week so it can contemplate a financial offer.
The talks center on whether ESPN will buy the media rights to the extra 10 games that would come with playoff expansion. ESPN has the rights to the CFP whether it remains at 12 teams or expands to 14.
If ESPN decides not to make an offer on the additional games, the CFP Management Committee can then enter negotiations with other companies to see who may be interested in buying the media rights to these games.
ESPN will still retain its media rights to televise CFP games through the 2031-2032 football season.
If the CFP expands to 24 teams, it could eliminate conference championship games. Media reports noted that Power Four conference championship games are valued between $200 million and $250 million in media value.
To increase the CFP to 24 teams for the 2027-2028 football season, ESPN or another company must complete a deal by December 1st.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at [email protected].
