ESPN can sublicense half of expanded CFP games to new broadcaster

As the College Football Playoff (CFP) expands from 12 teams to 24 teams for the upcoming season, ESPN is granted the right to sublicense up to six additional games from the expanded format to another broadcaster. This update comes from Ross Dellenger's report in On3, confirming ESPN’s ability to sublicense the six new games created by the expanded format, which includes the eight first-round games and the four new second-round games.

ESPN can only sublicense these additional games to a single broadcaster, meaning it cannot split the games among multiple networks. ESPN has the option to expand TNT Sports’ sublicensing agreement with some or all of the six games it is authorized to sublicense.

The report notes that the current TNT Sports sublicense agreement will likely remain unchanged, retaining the five games from the 12-team playoff, which will convert into second-round games in the 24-team playoff. This means TNT Sports will retain its inventory, including the two first-round games from the 12-team playoff, which will now become second-round games in the expanded playoff.

The remaining six games to be sublicensed by ESPN could potentially go to any network, with the streamers and TNT Sports being the most likely candidates. The new inventory is described as less glamorous, with many games scheduled on weekdays and in late afternoon or evening slots to avoid conflicts with the NFL. Additionally, the CFP may schedule games against the NFL’s Thursday Night Football in the first round, and NFL games in the second round, making any such inventory less desirable and more likely to be sublicensed.

Fox, under CEO Eric Shanks' support for a 24-team playoff, could be an interested party, but doubts exist about their enthusiasm for the lesser inventory, especially if it conflicts with NFL games. CBS and NBC remain potential options, but industry sources suggest otherwise.