College Football Playoff expected to approve expansion

[Drinkin Buddy]

The 10 FBS conferences and Notre Dame are expected to confirm on Friday a 14-team College Football Playoff field and updated revenue model starting in 2026, sources close to the negotiations tell CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd. Details on the 14-team CFP model will be decided at a later time, but the agreement clears the way for the CFP to agree to a contract extension with ESPN to broadcast the tournament.

The new revenue model will significantly benefit the Big Ten and SEC, launching them firmly ahead of the Big 12 and ACC moving forward. The new contract will pay the Big Ten and SEC 29% of the upcoming contract, sources tell Dodd, which works out to approximately $22 million per school. The ACC will receive 17% ($13-14 million per school) and the Big 12 will sit around 15% ($12 million per school). The numbers represent a raise across the board as all Power Five institutions receive approximately $5 million per school in the previous contract.

The ACC will receive a slightly higher payout in the next contract as the league has produced eight CFP semifinalists to only two in the continuing Big 12, according to ESPN. The proposed contract includes a "look-in" clause that allows the CFP to adjust payouts in 2028 based on performance, or if there is another round of realignment.

The Group of Five will split 9% of the contract, but the number may not be split evenly among the teams and five conferences. The independent schools will split 1%, while Notre Dame will get the bulk at around $12 million, according to multiple reports.

CFP Expansion to 14 Teams in 2026

 

[BonzoFury]

Why 14? Unbalanced. Just go all in with 16 and play 4 rounds.

 

[mvhomerl]

Needed more than 4, but 12 to 14? 8 would have been more than enough.

 

[herkhatescy]

Needed more than 4, but 12 to 14? 8 would have been more than enough.

Need 16 actually. It works for DII.

 

[mvhomerl]

Need 16 actually. It works for DII.

Just looked at a chart. IF the number next to the champ in D-II represents their seed in the play-off, 6th seed is the lowest to win it. Dominated by 1 and 2's, like it will be in D-I.

 

[MeetTheFerentzes]

Which is why anything more than 8 is really unnecessary. But if you're going more...go to 16. A double bye for some teams is way too unbalanced.

Doubt there will be any double byes. They’ll just change to 2 byes and have 6 first-round games on campus sites. ND likely in favor because they’ll be able to get as high as a #3 instead of #5 with current format.

My thoughts are that 12 is plenty, if not already too many…

 

[uihawk82]

Just looked at a chart. IF the number next to the champ in D-II represents their seed in the play-off, 6th seed is the lowest to win it. Dominated by 1 and 2's, like it will be in D-I.

Yes, really an 8 team playoff will decide the winners. I dont expect a 12 or 14 seed to ever win. It aint BBall with 5 on the floor and 3 or 4 on the bench, You have to be loaded with 44 players and great specialists in college fball to win the title.

The 12 team 14 o4 16 team thing is a money grab, and extra round with 3-4 play in games that will make many millions of $$$$

 

[83Hawk]

They really need to stop giving Notre Dame preferential treatment. It's ridiculous.

Personally, I think a team needs to be in a conference to qualify for the playoffs.

 

[BonzoFury]

Doubt there will be any double byes. They’ll just change to 2 byes and have 6 first-round games on campus sites. ND likely in favor because they’ll be able to get as high as a #3 instead of #5 with current format.

My thoughts are that 12 is plenty, if not already too many…

Yep, my bad. That said, I'm still for a balanced bracket. A week off to heal can be a big plus late in the season.

I hate the idea that ND would likely get an automatic every year they win at least 9.

 

[onlyTheObvious]

Needed more than 4, but 12 to 14? 8 would have been more than enough.

Guessing the bowl game attendance and TV rating trends with players not playing was a big factor.

ESPN was propping up these bowl games, they must think more playoff games will equal more profit.

 

[Iron Doc]

About. Time.

 

[Obviously Oblivious]

Why 14? Unbalanced. Just go all in with 16 and play 4 rounds.

Need 16 actually. It works for DII.

Ever since playoff expansion was being considered I've been screaming for a 16 team playoff with no byes. It's ridiculous that the strongest teams in the bracket will get a bye to heal up and prepare and grab even more of a competitive advantage. Dumb to not just make the leap to 16 IMO.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

I don't like the unbalanced playoff revenue split, even though it probably helps Iowa. Sports are much fun when there is some parity. It's just going to make it harder for the Kansas State's of the country to compete.

Coaching salaries in the B1G and SEC are going up even more with this. Future Med students and Engineering students will struggle financially with huge student loans while the football and basketball players walk out of school with a bunch of money in their pockets.

 

[pistachio1999]

I don't like the unbalanced playoff revenue split, even though it probably helps Iowa. Sports are much fun when there is some parity. It's just going to make it harder for the Kansas State's of the country to compete.

Coaching salaries in the B1G and SEC are going up even more with this. Future Med students and Engineering students will struggle financially with huge student loans while the football and basketball players walk out of school with a bunch of money in their pockets.

Why did or do you make more than some of your coworkers?

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Why did or do you make more than some of your coworkers?

I understand the concept of being "worth more" so that you make more.

But is Minnesota worth more than Oklahoma State? Are Indiana and Arkansas worth more than North Carolina? They just happen to be in the right conference.

I believe in parity in sports to the extent possible.

 

[myteamcanbeatupyourteam]

They really need to stop giving Notre Dame preferential treatment. It's ridiculous.

Personally, I think a team needs to be in a conference to qualify for the playoffs.

I'd consider giving ND preferential treat provided they are required to schedule 4-5 B1G/SEC teams every season.

 

[KFsdisciple]

Seems like the NFL could help fix some of these issues by getting rid of the 3-year rule. I'm not saying these high school kids are NFL ready, but some might be close... With the S&C programs some of these kids have especially at places like IMG Academy and the schools in Texas and California and Hoover Ala... it's not a total stretch that some of these guys could play in the league a little faster.

 

[pistachio1999]

I understand the concept of being "worth more" so that you make more.

But is Minnesota worth more than Oklahoma State? Are Indiana and Arkansas worth more than North Carolina? They just happen to be in the right conference.

I believe in parity in sports to the extent possible.

That would be the NFL model.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

That would be the NFL model.

Yes. And NASCAR. Might those be the most popular sports in the US?

 

[pistachio1999]

Yes. And NASCAR. Might those be the most popular sports in the US?

I believe NASCAR has declined quite a lot.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

I believe NASCAR has declined quite a lot.

You're right. I've been looking at some lists and it's like 9th, behind hockey, tennis, soccer and wrestling!

Wow.