ESPN and the College Football Playoff have reportedly agreed on a media rights deal to double the postseason field to 24 teams. The expanded format would begin next season, with ESPN remaining the playoff’s broadcast partner.
What We Know: According to ESPN’s Heather Dinich, the five-year agreement will see ESPN paying roughly $1.7 billion. The expansion will also eliminate the Power 4 conference championship games beginning next season. Additionally, ESPN has held exclusive CFP rights since the playoff began in 2014, and that deal runs through 2031-32.
What’s At Stake: With ESPN now owning double the amount of inventory it currently has, it remains to be seen how the network sublicenses games out to other networks. This season, ESPN had sublicensed five games to TNT Sports through the next three seasons: two first-round games, two quarterfinal games, and one semifinal game. Whether or not that expands to other networks (FOX, CBS, The CW Network) remains to be seen.
What Remains Unclear: However, the deal is not yet official, as board approvals remain pending. Likewise, the CFP has not formally released its bracket structure. So far, talks have included five automatic bids and 19 at-large selections.
What It Means: Ultimately, the deal cements ESPN as the home of college football’s expanded postseason. In addition, it also eliminates the Power Four conference championship games, which were longstanding appointment opportunities for universities and fans. As a result, ESPN reportedly recoups roughly $140 million annually from canceled title games it currently airs. Fox, meanwhile, loses the Big Ten title game but reportedly gets back about $50 million per year.
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