'If we can get a decent deal, we are definitely going to 24' - CFP leaders discussing logistics of 24-team playoff

Key Points:

• College Football Playoff (CFP) leaders are actively negotiating to expand the postseason from its current format to a 24-team field, with discussions accelerating since last August.
• The proposed 24-team model would include 23 at-large selections plus the highest-ranked Group of Six team, with new first-round games starting two weeks after the regular season and second-round games hosted by higher seeds in December.
• Key challenges include scheduling logistics, such as the placement of the Army-Navy game and the elimination of conference championship games, which currently generate significant revenue estimated at $250 million.
• CFP executives and ESPN have until October 9 to finalize a deal before potentially taking the expansion to the open market, with a final expansion decision required by December 1 for implementation in 2027.
• Discussions also involve restructuring traditional bowl games, with proposals for a new 10-bowl lineup controlled by power conferences, reflecting broad consensus that expansion is likely if a favorable TV deal is secured.