{
  "id": 14757748,
  "title": "CFP, ESPN ‘nearing deal’ on 24-team format to begin in 2027",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/cfp-espn-nearing-deal-on-24-team-format-to-begin-in-2027",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-15T18:07:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/cfp-espn-nearing-deal-24-180738686.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "The College Football Playoff appears to officially be expanding. According to a report by ESPN college football reporter Pete Thamel, the CFP “is nearing a deal to expand to 24 teams” for the 2027 season. A deal is “expected to come together in the near future, pending final approvals,” Thamel writes. Prior reports indicate that…",
  "key_points": [
    "CFP nears agreement for 24-team playoff starting 2027",
    "ESPN retains broadcasting rights until 2031",
    "ESPN to pay at least $300M more annually than current deal"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}