What we know
What we know: ESPN and CFP enter final review stage in bid to expand college football playoffs to 24 teams
Compiled Nov 6
What we know
- Talks between ESPN and the College Football Playoff are in the final stages of review over expanding the postseason to 24 teams next year
- The CFP announced this in a two-sentence statement on Friday
- A formal decision will come after the review process, according to the CFP
- The media rights deal would cover the money conferences would lose by eliminating their title games
- ESPN previously reported offering an additional $345 million annually to double the playoff field from 12 to 24 teams
- The parties have discussed a format where Power Four champions and the top Group of Six team get automatic bids, with 19 others picked by committee
What we don’t know yet
- No timeline was provided for when a formal decision will be made
Open questions
- When will a formal decision on the ESPN deal be announced?
- What exact format will be finalized for selecting the 19 at-large teams?
- How will the money from eliminating conference title games be distributed?
- Will all conferences agree to eliminate their title games for this deal?
Drawn from the Associated Press report. “What we don’t know” lists only what the reporting itself flags as unresolved.