College football moves closer to 24-team playoff expansion

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 01:32 · Archive

College football has reached a framework agreement with ESPN to expand the playoff to 24 teams starting next season.

College football has moved closer to a 24-team postseason after a 'handshake agreement' between the College Football Playoff and ESPN. The framework for expansion starting next season was reached on Friday, though many details and an official contract remain unfinished.

ESPN said it would pay an additional $345 million a year on average over six years to the College Football Playoff to compensate major conferences for the nine-figure sums they would lose by eliminating their title games. The current six-year deal is worth $7.8 billion, and the expanded playoff would include 12 more games than the 12-team format.

The proposed format would grant automatic bids to Power Four conference champions and the highest-ranked team from the Group of Six, with the other 19 teams selected by committee. The first two rounds would be held on campuses, with the top eight teams receiving a first-round bye and hosting games the following week. Major bowls would host the quarterfinals and semifinals, with the championship game remaining in late January.

Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti has argued that the expanded format would not diminish the regular season, as the bye week, home-field advantage and the opportunity to reach the top 24 would give more teams stakes in November play.

How it is being reported

• 'Handshake agreement' with ESPN brings college football closer to a 24-team playoff, AP source saysCollege football has moved closer to a 24-team postseason after securing what a person familiar with the negotiations called a “handshake agreement” between the College Football Playoff and broadcast partner ESPN.News4Jax · 17 Oct, 00:54
• 'Handshake agreement' with ESPN brings college football closer to a 24-team playoff, AP source saysCollege football has moved closer to a 24-team postseason after securing what a person familiar with the negotiations called a “handshake agreement” between the College Football Playoff and broadcast partner ESPN.Clickorlando · 17 Oct, 00:54

In this story: College Football Playoff · ESPN · Power Four · Group of Six · Big Ten · Tony Petitti

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