The College Football Playoff will expand from four to twelves teams by 2026. With the expansion of teams, expect just as large an expansion in media rights to broadcast the games.
Bob Thompson, the former president of FOX Sports Networks, told Front Office Sports that he believes an expanded playoff could get even more money than previously thought. With the College Football Playoff attempting a Big Ten-like strategy to split up the property in order to maximize cash payout, Thompson believes the number could top $2 billion annually.
“I think it will be north of $2 billion. So ($2.2 billion) is possible,” Thompson said.
Currently, the playoff is being paid out an average of $470 million a year thru the end of the contract (2026).
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey told The Paul Finebaum Show that the CFP plans to have multiple networks bid on the deal.
FOX held the rights to several Bowl Championship Series games between 2006-09 and appear to want to make a big push for future rights.
“Certainly, Fox and ESPN are the leading contenders in the house,” said Thompson.
