• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Expanded CFP Could Set the Stage for Next Media Rights Battle

  • The first round of games for the 12-team College Football Playoff in 2024 and 2025 are on the market.
  • If ESPN doesn’t retain those rights, the entire package will go to just one other network.
College-Football-Playoffs
Jenna Watson / USA TODAY NETWORK

Over the past few years, ESPN and Fox have solidified themselves as college football’s broadcast duopoly. Their next battleground could be in the College Football Playoff.

When the CFP expands to 12 teams in 2024, ESPN will own the quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship. But the first round, consisting of four games played on college campuses, will be up for grabs. 

Only one or two networks will have broadcast rights to the first two years of the expanded playoff, executive director Bill Hancock told reporters on Wednesday. ESPN will either gobble up the first-round games, or one other broadcaster will buy them as a package. 

As things stand, ESPN is interested in securing the rights to that inventory, FOS has confirmed — though the network will continue being “disciplined” with its bids.

The move would make sense, given ESPN’s clear intention of holding a majority of top-shelf football rights. The network purchased control of the entire SEC sports slate in 2020, boasts a long-term contract with the ACC, and even renewed with the Big 12. 

The network, which has relinquished Big Ten conference media rights, could have a bonus opportunity to put the conference’s teams on its channels.

But ESPN will probably have competition. If given the chance, Fox will be interested in those games, an industry source told FOS — though Fox “won’t break the bank” either.

Even a slice of the CFP could be a major boon for Fox, as holding postseason rights benefits regular-season ratings. (ESPN SVP Nick Dawson previously told FOS that it’s more difficult for ESPN to market regular-season Division I men’s basketball than it would be if the network owned men’s March Madness.)

Fox has paid billions for college football media rights in the last two years, between securing most of the Big Ten and bankrolling a portion of Big Ten and Big 12 realignment. It’s even invested in a pregame show, launching ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ in 2019 to compete with ESPN’s “College GameDay.”

A streamer like Apple, which almost bought the rights to the Pac-12, could swoop in. But as industry experts have previously noted, a streamer hasn’t successfully outbid a linear network for top-tier media rights. It’s unclear if NBC or CBS might be eyeing these games. 

The winner of the CFP’s early-round prize won’t be able to relax, however. 

In 2026, the rights to the entire package will go on the market. A previous estimate put the CFP’s future value at more than $2 billion, though a source recently said that number could be inflated in the current market.

Fox will likely be more aggressive in this round of negotiations than with just the first round in 2024 and 2025, especially if a championship game is involved, the industry source said. ESPN has also expressed its intention to come out swinging in the bidding war.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Nicholas DeGraves (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Boston University Terriers during the third period of the Frozen Four college ice hockey national semifinals at Enterprise Center

Gavin McKenna’s Penn State Commitment Cements College Hockey Supremacy

Gavin McKenna’s Penn State decision signals hockey’s rising stars now prefer NCAA.
A helmt is seen during the Texas Tech football team's spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

CFB’s Revenue-Sharing Era Muddles Future of NIL, Adds PE Questions

Athletic departments can pay college athletes a combined $20.5 million this year.
Nov 30, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Tahj Brooks (28) runs the ball against West Virginia Mountaineers defensive back Anthony Wilson Jr. (12) in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field.

Felix Ojo’s Agent Says Texas Tech Offered $5.1M At Start of Rev-Share..

Texas Tech secured Ojo with a seven-figure NIL commitment.

ESPN Brings Pat McAfee to Atlanta for Home Run Derby Showcase

The Disney-owned network will bring one of its top stars to Atlanta.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”

Revenue-Sharing Chaos Begins as Texas Tech Secures Five-Star OT

The Red Raiders spent more than $10 million in the winter transfer portal.
Ohio State
July 1, 2025

Collectives Funnel $20 Million to College Athletes on Last Day Before Revenue..

Collectives frontloaded payments just before the revenue sharing era begins July 1.
July 3, 2025

Everything You Need to Know About EA’s Return to College Basketball Video..

There hasn’t been a college basketball game in more than 15 years.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
July 1, 2025

Big Ten Commish Still Pushes for 4 Auto CFP Bids in 16-Team..

The conference wants four guaranteed spots in the Playoff.
June 30, 2025

College Sports Revenue-Sharing Underway As More Changes Loom

July 1 marks the first day schools can directly pay players.
June 30, 2025

Pac-12 Hits Football Membership Threshold With Texas State Entry

The school is paying $5 million to leave the Sun Belt Conference.
Mar 23, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Baylor Bears guard Jeremy Roach (3) reacts after a play during the first half against the Duke Blue Devils in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center.
June 26, 2025

Power Four Put Finishing Touches on How Revenue Sharing Era Will Work

The agreement stipulates that schools can’t sue to challenge any terms of the settlement.