College Football Playoff to hand ESPN its asking price for 24-team playoff as exclusive window closes
CBS Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- College Football Playoff (CFP) leaders are meeting with ESPN on Friday to present final media rights terms for a proposed 24-team playoff expansion, triggering a 5-business-day review period for ESPN to respond.
- Negotiations have seen little progress on financial terms, with CFP expected to propose a figure exceeding $320 million above current conference game rights, on top of ESPN's existing $1.3 billion per year contract.
- ESPN has strategic leverage due to its current rights to ACC, Big 12, and SEC championship games, which could be integrated into a larger CFP rights deal to offset costs.
- If ESPN declines the proposal, CFP may explore splitting media rights among multiple networks or reconsider playoff size options, including maintaining 12 teams or expanding to 16.
- The Big Ten and SEC hold decisive influence over the playoff format, with a final decision on expansion and structure expected by December 1, amid ongoing debate over lost conference title game revenue and scheduling requirements.
