• Loading stock data...
Thursday, January 8, 2026

CFP Board Weighs Breaking Away from the NCAA

  • Discussions are in the early stages, and no restructuring is imminent.
  • A restructure would provide autonomy for rule-making decisions in college football.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The landscape of college sports may change once again as the College Football Playoff’s board of managers considers restructuring how the sport is governed, according to ESPN.

The board, which consists of 11 college presidents and chancellors, is weighing the option for major college football not only to be governed outside the NCAA  which doesn’t oversee any portion of the sport’s postseason — but by the CFP itself.

  • Discussions are in the early stages, and no restructuring is imminent. 
  • A restructure would provide autonomy for rule-making decisions in college football.
  • It would allow smaller-budgeted schools to avoid conforming to decisions made by larger universities.

The board of managers has also considered changes to the CFP, which annually sees four teams play in two semifinal games, with the winner of each playing for a national championship title.

A new CFP format could be in place by the end of its current contract, which expires after the 2025 season.

Money Maker

Now more than ever, college football provides a lucrative opportunity for the NCAA, its member institutions, and conferences. 

On Thursday, the Big Ten secured the largest-ever media rights contract in college sports with a deal worth at least $7 billion, sources confirmed to Front Office Sports. 

The Big Ten plans to “dominate” Saturday football, according to the conference.

The deal, which includes all sports, will have rights shared between FOX, CBS, NBC, and Peacock. The expensive pact runs from July 1, 2023, through the end of the 2029-30 season.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ole Miss Head Coach Pete Golding smiles while Miami Head Coach Mario Cristobal answers a question during a CFP and Fiesta Bowl press conference at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026.

Ole Miss Survived Kiffin Coaching Chaos to Make CFP Semifinal

Multiple coaches have gone back and forth between Ole Miss and LSU.
Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning and Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti shake hands with Gary Stokan on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, during a coaches' press conference ahead of the College Football Playoff Peach Bowl game at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

Peach Bowl CEO: ‘We’ve Lost the Mission’ of College Sports

The Peach Bowl CEO is wary of private equity’s entry into college sports.
Dec 13, 2025; Inglewood, CA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (2) is forced out of bounds by Boise State Broncos defensive back Jeremiah Earby (6) after a catching a pass in the second half of the LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium.

Washington Considers Suing Former QB Demond Williams

Washington wants to hold Williams accountable for certain buyout provisions.

CFP Coaches Thriving—and Cashing In—As Nick Saban Disciples

Head coaches of the four remaining CFP teams had stints under Nick Saban.

Featured Today

Hockey in Florida Was Once a Risk. Now It’s Thriving

The state of Florida has become a traditional—and highly lucrative—market.
Dec 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after scoring a basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Crypto.com Arena
January 4, 2026

Why Pro Sports Team Valuations Will Keep Climbing in 2026

Asset scarcity and increasing media-rights deals underpin soaring valuations.
Imagn Images/Front Office Sports
January 2, 2026

FOS Crystal Ball: Predictions for the Business of Sports in 2026

Here’s what FOS journalists think could be on the horizon.
Heated Rivalry (L to R) - Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov and Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander in Episode 104 of Heated Rivalry. Cr. Sabrina Lantos © 2025
December 24, 2025

Hockey Needed Some Virality. Then Came ‘Heated Rivalry’

No one was prepared for the Canadian show’s smash success.
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Jaden Wilkerson (71) walks off the field after the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium.

ACC Only Power Conference Giving CFP Teams 100% of Payout

Big Ten, Big 12 share distributions equally; SEC has a hybrid model.
Sep 13, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) passes in the first half against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Michigan Stadium.
January 6, 2026

Bryce Underwood to Stay at Michigan for Sophomore Season

Underwood led the Wolverines to 9–4 as a true freshman.
exclusive
January 7, 2026

Mark Cuban Increases His Indiana Football Spending for Transfer Portal

Cuban graduated from Indiana in 1981. 
Sponsored

ESPN Edge Innovation Conference 2025: Inside the Technology Shaping the Future of..

At ESPN Edge Innovation Conference 2025, ESPN showcased how AI, immersive tech, and a rebuilt direct-to-consumer platform are redefining the future of sports media.
Nov 1, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby (2) warms up before the game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
January 5, 2026

Million-Dollar QBs Dominate College Football’s Transfer Portal Window

A single transfer portal window is running Jan. 2–16.
Charlie Weis Jr
January 5, 2026

Charlie Weis Jr. Could Leave LSU for NFL With No Buyout

Weis won’t owe LSU a buyout if he lands certain NFL roles.
January 4, 2026

As Ole Miss Advances in CFP, Kiffin Collects Bonuses—and Its Staff

Several assistant coaches are now expected to stay with LSU.
Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti looks on before the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit:
January 2, 2026

Cignetti Triggers ‘Good Faith Market Review’ With Rose Bowl Win

The blowout of Alabama will likely mean a $1 million raise.