College Football Playoff management committee discussed 14-team model
Just one day after the College Football Playoff Board of Managers announced the “5+7” format for the 12-team field, another major change was discussed, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported. The CFP management committee briefly discussed a 14-team model.
The idea came about during Wednesday’s meeting in Texas, although Thamel noted it’s not an “imminent” change. A 14-team CFP wouldn’t come about until 2026 at the earliest, if it was to come to fruition.
American Athletic Conference commissioner Mike Aresco told On3’s Eric Prisbell that the 14-team model is a “possibility for 2026 and beyond,” although the field will be 12 teams over the next two seasons.
On Tuesday, the College Football Playoff announced it was tweaking its 12-team model, which is set to begin this coming season. When the CFP initially expanded, it was a “6+6” model with the six highest-ranked conference champions and six at-large teams making up the bracket. After a groundbreaking round of realignment – which saw the Pac-12 drop to two teams – the committee opted to make it the five highest-ranked conference champions with seven at-larges.
“This is a very logical adjustment for the College Football Playoff based on the evolution of our conference structures since the board first adopted this new format in September 2022,” said Dr. Mark Keenum, Mississippi State President and Chair of the CFP Board of Managers, in a statement. “I know this change will also be well received by student-athletes, coaches and fans. We all will be pleased to see this new format come to life on the field this postseason.”
Future formats are one part of the discussion for the College Football Playoff management committee
In addition to future formats, there are a few more issues the CFP management committee has to talk about. That includes a revenue distribution model and voting rights, and Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said it’s time to “explore.”
Another notable question for the CFP is what will happen with its media rights negotiations. The Athletic reported ESPN was preparing to agree to a six-year deal worth $1.3 billion, but CFP leaders still need to vote on the agreement. The contract was likely to be a talking point at this week’s meetings, although there’s still a few things that need to happen for a deal to happen.
However, Puck sports business reporter John Ourand reported ESPN executives could pull the offer if the CFP does not move quickly and “doesn’t get its act together,” and MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher confirmed a deal wasn’t yet agreed to earlier this month.
“Several news outlets are reporting that a new six-year television deal has been concluded for the College Football Playoff,” Steinbrecher wrote in an email dated Feb. 13, via Yahoo! Sports. “Be advised, these reports are incorrect. Neither the Management Committee (commissioners) nor the Board of Managers (presidents) have reviewed a draft agreement nor has any vote been taken.”