• Loading stock data...
Thursday, November 21, 2024

College Football Playoff’s Next Era: Why Further Expansion Is on Hold

  • The playoff is expanding to 12 teams this year.
  • The CFP’s new executive director said evaluation will take place in 2025.
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

As the fall approaches, the first season with an expanded 12-team College Football Playoff is just around the corner. But earlier this year, before this new era began, talk of the playoff growing to 14 or even 16 schools consumed the sport.

The format’s evolution is accompanied by another changing of the guard, too. Last month, Rich Clark officially took over as the executive director of the CFP, as Bill Hancock stepped down. Clark, most recently a superintendent for the Air Force, has been revealing his outlook for the CFP while making the rounds at various conference football media days, last week with the Big 12 and this week with the SEC.

Clark said despite the speculation, CFP leaders want to see how the inaugural 12-team field plays out before making more changes. “I would not make that assumption,” he said Wednesday when asked about eventually growing to at least 14 teams. 

For now, fans shouldn’t expect any significant developments until next year. “After the playoff is concluded, we’re going to look back and see what worked, what didn’t, and how can we make it better,” Clark said. “Especially in the early days, I think it’s important for us to be open-minded and not take things off the table … and not lock ourselves into anything.”

ESPN is paying $7.8 billion for CFP media rights through 2032, but it is sublicensing some games to TNT Sports for an undisclosed sum. Further expansion could give even more broadcasters an opportunity to hop on the playoff bandwagon.

Coastal Conflict

The ACC’s media days don’t start until next week, but the conference has been making headlines this week. There are more developments surrounding legal action associated with Florida State’s and Clemson’s attempts to potentially find new homes without paying exorbitant exit fees of hundreds of millions of dollars.

In an effort to squash a lawsuit from Florida attorney general Ashley Moody, the ACC has agreed to share a redacted version of its ESPN media-rights contract with Moody’s office. The documents will still not be available to the public, though. 

A ‘Political Win’

So, is this a win for FSU, the ACC, or a moot point? 

“The ACC’s decision to provide the Florida attorney general with its media contracts may seem like a big win for FSU,” says Front Office Sports college expert Amanda Christovich. “But in reality, it won’t change much—the actual media contract has always been available to FSU to view and is part of the lawsuit for the school to leave the conference. Mostly, it’s a political win for AG Ashley Moody, who clearly wants to appear to be supporting her local schools in their conference realignment endeavors.”

The legal rift will no doubt be a major talking point next week in Charlotte at the ACC’s first media days as a 17-team conference, with the addition of Cal, Stanford, and SMU.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

A photo of Around the Horn's set

‘Around the Horn’ to End 23-Year ESPN Run in 2025

ESPN had reportedly been thinking of canceling the show since the summer.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Who Can Actually Afford Juan Soto?

0:00

Featured Today

Nov 18, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Williams Racing driver Logan Sargeant of the United States (2) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

F1 Grand Prix Upended Vegas Last Year. Stakes Are High for Its..

Stakes are high as F1 gears up for a successful second act.
Classic Football Shirts New York Pop-Up
November 18, 2024

Vintage Soccer Jerseys Have Found a Sweet Spot in the Lucrative U.S...

The money-making shirts are at the prime intersection of memorabilia and fashion.
Nov 13, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after fouling Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (not pictured) during the second half at Madison Square Garden.
opinion
November 16, 2024

NBA Ratings Rorschach Test: Buy the Dip

Was it the election? Too many threes? Lack of storylines?
November 15, 2024

Executive Decision: When Richard Nixon Named a College Football Champion

In 1969, the 37th president unilaterally named the winner of the season.
Geno Auriemma

Geno Auriemma Becomes All-Time Winningest NCAA Basketball Coach

He took the record from Tara VanDerveer, who set it in January.
November 18, 2024

Louisiana Governor’s PAC Paid for Controversial LSU Tiger

Jeff Landry’s backers funded the tiger that appeared at Alabama-LSU.
November 20, 2024

Sparks Turn to College Ranks: Utah’s Lynne Roberts Named Head Coach

The Atlanta Dream hired Karl Smesko last week.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
November 18, 2024

The WBD-NBA Settlement’s Ripple Effect on College Sports

WBD’s networks will air Big 12 football and men’s basketball games.
Sen. Ted Cruz is introduced by former President Donald Trump at a rally at Million Air, a private airplane terminal at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Friday October 25, 2024.
November 15, 2024

Sen. Ted Cruz Promises College Sports Bill As Commerce Chair

The NCAA could be one step closer to its goals in Congress.
November 14, 2024

Lawsuit Seeks to Bar Volleyball Player From Mountain West Conference Tournament

The suit comes after several San Jose State opponents have forfeited.
November 12, 2024

Louisiana Gov. Calls Critics of Tiger Stunt ‘Woke’ After LSU Blowout Loss

He called the live cat the “only tiger who showed up Saturday.”