Friday, April 10, 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

NCAA Considers Five-Year Eligibility Rule, Ending Redshirts

The governing body looks at creating a broad, age-based standard.

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.

Men’s March Madness Title Game Draws 18.3M Viewers, Up 23%

Michigan’s title win completes an emphatic run of audience increases.
Dusty May

Transfer Portal Chaos Began Amid Michigan’s Title Celebration

The transfer portal opened in the middle of postgame celebrations.

Featured Today

Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports

Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall

The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.
April 8, 2026

Why Did FIFA Do a Deal With an Obscure Prediction Market?

The product is scheduled to launch on Thursday.
Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) and center Tomislav Ivisic (13) react in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center.
April 4, 2026

Loopholes Enable Int’l College Basketball Players to Cash In

Schools have scrambled to find a way to compensate international players.
April 1, 2026

‘The Sonics Never Died’: The Long Afterlife of Seattle NBA Merch

Inside “the largest team shop for a team that doesn’t exist.” 
Ben Shelton keeps his eyes on the ball during his second-round match against Reilly Opelka at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., Friday, March 6, 2026.
April 7, 2026

College Tennis In NIL ‘Crisis’: Incoming USTA CEO Craig Tiley

Multiple universities have dropped their Division I programs in recent years.
April 7, 2026

Once-Mighty Tennessee Down to One Player After Portal Exodus

The Volunteers lost all players with eligibility to the transfer portal.
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) celebrates the team’s NCAA men's basketball tournament national championship victory Monday, April 6, 2026, after defeating the UConn Huskies 69-63 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
April 7, 2026

Michigan’s $10 Million Roster Was Enough to Win a Title

UConn spent millions more, but the Wolverines spent where it mattered.
Michigan head coach Dusty May does an interview on stage as the team celebrates beating Connecticut to win the NCAA national championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Monday, April 6, 2026.
April 7, 2026

Michigan’s Basketball Title Follows Scandal-Ridden Football Season

Michigan fired football coach Sherrone Moore in December.
Apr 6, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May celebrates with the trophy after defeating the UConn Huskies in the national championship of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
April 6, 2026

Michigan Beats UConn to Complete Big Ten Title Hat Trick

It’s Michigan’s first title since 1989.
April 6, 2026

Michael Malone Set to Be Next North Carolina Basketball Coach

Malone was working as an NBA analyst for ESPN.