Report: CFP increases annual payouts for Oregon State, Washington State starting in 2026

With the upcoming dissolution of the Pac-12 as we know it, the future for the athletic programs at Oregon State and Washington State, the two remaining schools, was thrown into flux. But now some more revenue is on the horizon, and coming from the College Football Playoff.

The Pac-12, as part of the updated deal for the expanded CFP, negotiated a $3.6 million annual payout for the two schools it will represent going forward, according to Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger. The previous payout for the pair of schools was set to be around $350,000.

That payout was on par with the money being given to other, non-Notre Dame independents from the CFP — currently that’s only UConn.

Dellenger shared a projected per-school payout from the $1.3 billion in annual revenue coming from ESPN in the new deal for the expanded CFP. The Big Ten and SEC will both pay out north of $20 million per team. The ACC comes in around $14 million and Notre Dame at $12.5 million annually. The Big 12 brings up the rear of the power conferences, with just more than $12 million annually for league members.

The two left-behind Pac-12 schools are getting a good deal more than the Group of 5 teams — $1.5 million — and far more than UConn is as the lone independent ($350,000).

ESPN issued a formal announcement about the broadcast agreement

Given how much ESPN is set to hand over each year to broadcast an expanded CFP, CEO Jimmy Pitaro is placing a big bet on the event continuing to turn out massive ratings.

“ESPN has worked very closely with the College Football Playoff over the past decade to build one of the most prominent events in American sports. We look forward to enhancing our valued relationship over the next two years, and then continuing it for six more as we embark on this new, expanded playoff era,” Pitaro said in a release announcing the deal. “This agreement further solidifies ESPN as the home of college football, as well as the destination for the vast majority of major college championships for the next eight years.”

Outgoing CFP executive director Bill Hancock shared in the sentiment.

“We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with ESPN,” Hancock said. “It’s a significant day for the CFP and for the future of college football. The depth of coverage that ESPN gives to the sport throughout the season is second to none. There is no better platform to showcase this iconic championship as we move into the new 12-team format because ESPN’s people love college football every bit as much as we all do.”