ESPN Closing in on Deal for 24-Team CFP Expansion
Two years after the masterminds behind the College Football Playoff tripled the field from four to 12 teams, the annual postseason tournament is about to be expanded even further. CFP execs are zeroing in on a deal that will see 24 teams get invited to the playoff, with ESPN set to carry those additional games […]
The College Football Playoff (CFP) is reportedly close to finalizing a deal to expand its playoff format to 24 teams, according to ESPN reporter Pete Thamel. The new format is set to commence in the 2027 season and is anticipated to be finalized shortly, subject to final approvals. ESPN will continue to hold exclusive broadcasting rights for the expanded playoff until the 2031 season, which aligns with the expiration of their current agreement for the 12-team playoff.
ESPN currently pays an average of $1.3 billion annually for the entire playoff broadcast rights. In the past two seasons, ESPN sub-licensed two first-round games to TNT Sports, which now belongs to Skydance. This sublicense, valid until 2028, will expand to include two quarterfinal games and a semifinal game in the upcoming season.
The specific terms of ESPN's new deal with the CFP have not been disclosed, but it is anticipated that ESPN will pay at least $300 million more per year than its present agreement. The $300 million figure is the revenue generated by the 10 FBS conference championship games, which are expected to be eliminated under the new format.
ESPN has allocated approximately $200 million for its conference championship game portfolio, which will no longer be necessary, enabling the funds to be redirected towards the more expensive CFP deal.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- CFP, ESPN ‘nearing deal’ on 24-team format to begin in 2027 sports.yahoo.com
