• Loading stock data...
Saturday, May 31, 2025

CFP Heads Into Expansion Era In Search Of New Leader

  • Longtime college sports administrator built playoff into major event
  • Successor will face wide range of pressing issues
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Bill Hancock was the prime mover in making the College Football Playoff a major event after decades of infighting within the sport. 

Now, the 72-year-old says he will retire from the CFP on Feb. 1, 2025, when his current contract expires, and will shift to a consultant role next year to facilitate the transition.

Appointed in 2012 shortly after the CFP’s creation, the longtime college sports administrator played a central role in building the playoff into one of the most-watched events in American sports — even amid a recent decline in title game ratings. He then led a historic expansion of the CFP into a 12-team format beginning with the 2024-25 season. 

“He’s a legend in college sports,” said Mark Keenum, Mississippi State University president and chair of the CFP’s Board of Managers.

Hancock’s successor will play a huge role in determining how the CFP capitalizes on its expansion era.

Key issues to be discussed include how the CFP will distribute its media rights in the expanded format, and whether the CFP ultimately expands beyond 12 teams. In that light, it’s possible the next CFP executive director will have an extensive media background, following a growing trend within college sports.

Several names from within college sports leadership have already been posited as potential candidates for the position, including retiring Notre Dame athletics director Jack Swarbrick, former Big 12 Conference commissioner Bob Bowlsby, and Ohio State athletics director Gene Smith.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

MSG Tickets for Potential Pacers-Knicks Game 7 Start at $1,100

The current get-in price for a potential Game 7 is $1,099.

French Open Scheduling Sparks Backlash Over Women’s Time Slots

Coco Gauff has also said the French Open schedule could be improved.

Chiefs, Royals Stadium Plans Hit Political Wall As Both Parties Say No

Both Republicans and Democrats in Missouri oppose public funding for stadiums.
Jayden Cofield awaits the start of a dirll during the Texas Tech football team's spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Colleges Don’t Want to Be ‘Trailblazers’ in Private Equity

The commissioner says the conference isn’t ready to deal with PE.

Featured Today

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.
May 30, 2025

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.

The Former NBA Agent Who Became a Pickleball Deputy Commissioner

Chris Patrick went from representing Jimmy Butler to pickleball deputy commissioner.
March 13, 2025

Junior Bridgeman Was the Prototype for Business Success After Sports

He started with Wendy’s franchises, later expanding into bottling, magazines, and more.
July 9, 2009; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars during the press conference to introduce their new head coach John Kuester at their practice facility.
April 14, 2025

Joe Dumars Leaving NBA League Office to Run Pelicans

Joe Dumars was the architect of the 2004 champion Pistons.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; A$AP Rocky on the sideline after halftime during Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium.
February 27, 2025

A$AP Rocky Could Be Latest Celebrity Owner in English Soccer

Following his acquittal, the rapper is closer to owning Tranmere Rovers.
Oct 23, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley addresses the crowd during the Pat Riley Court dedication ceremony at halftime at Kaseya Center.
February 14, 2025

Here’s Where Pat Riley’s Three-Peat Trademark Money Goes

Riley has the phrase trademarked despite having no three-peat of his own.
Dec 1, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters (L) talks with Commanders owner Josh Harris (R) on the field prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at Northwest Stadium.
December 4, 2024

CEO Leaves $13 Billion Soup Company to Run Commanders

The new president will lead the planning and development of the team’s stadium.
LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan after the final round of golf during the CME Group Tour Championship at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla., Sunday, November 19, 2023.
December 2, 2024

LPGA Commissioner Leaving After Brief Up-and-Down Tenure

Mollie Marcoux Samaan was hired in 2021.