The future of the College Football Playoffs has finally been decided after weeks of back-and-forth between conference commissioners.
On Friday morning, as per ESPN, it was revealed that the CFP will remain as a 12-team format despite calls to expand it to either 16-teams or 24-teams.
The main dispute arose between SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti, who failed to come to an agreement over a new format.
There had been overwhelming support for a 16-team playoff structure but the Big Ten reportedly wouldn’t agree unless the SEC agreed to a 24-team setup in three years.
According to ESPN, however, SEC commissioner Sankey was not willing to agree to the suggestion and, as a result, the CFP will remain as a 12-team format.
The outlet claim that there had been no pushback from conference leaders in regard to keeping the CFP to just 12-teams for at least one more season.
The future of the College Football Playoff system was finally decided on Friday morning
It will remain a 12-team format despite calls to expand it to either 16 or 24 teams (Pictured: Indiana Hoosiers celebrate their CFP National Championship triumph on Monday night)
The latest developments come after the four power conference commissioners met on Sunday morning to discuss a potential expansion.
While some fans were optimistic an agreement could be reached, Big Ten commissioner Petitti made the situation clear as he exited the tense meeting.
‘Still more work to do,’ Petitti told reporters outside the Lowe’s hotel meeting room.
Meanwhile, Sankey and Mississippi State president Mark Keenum, who is the chair of the CFP’s board of managers, offered his own perspective.
‘This was not a deadline day of any kind,’ Keenum said after the meeting. ‘So they’re still talking. We anticipate discussions will continue, and they will make a decision to stay at 12 or go to some other number.’
ESPN, the sole TV rights holder, had imposed the Friday deadline for a decision.
Back in March 2024, the CHP and ESPN agreed to a stunning six year, $7.8 billion contract which ensured that the network retained exclusive rights until 2031-32.
The contract was, reportedly, initially built for a 12 or 14-team structure but talks of a 16-team format quickly gathered pace in recent months.
The four power conference commissioners met on Sunday morning to discuss the matter – but failed to reach an agreement
Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti had been pushing for a 24-team format for the CFP
While the overall structure is set to remain the same, there will be slight adjustments in regards to how teams earn a playoff berth.
For the upcoming season, the Power 4 conference champions will earn a guaranteed spot, along with the highest-ranking conference champion from the Group of 6.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Donald Trump vowed to protect the annual Army-Navy football game time slot from competition amid talk of potential CFP expansion.
In a social media post, the 79-year-old fan pledged to sign an executive order preventing other postseason college football games from being played during Army-Navy’s four-hour window on the second Saturday of December.
‘The Army-Navy Game is one of our Greatest American Traditions — Unmatched Patriotism, Courage, and Honor! This incredible Tradition is now at risk of being pushed aside by more College Playoff Games, and Big TV Money,’ he wrote. ‘NOT ANYMORE!
‘Under my Administration, the second Saturday in December belongs to Army-Navy, and ONLY Army-Navy! I will soon sign a Historic Executive Order securing an EXCLUSIVE 4 hour Broadcast window, so this National Event stands above Commercial Postseason Games. No other Game or Team can violate this Time Slot!!!
‘On the field, they are rivals, but on the battlefield they are America’s unstoppable Patriots, defending our Country with tremendous Strength and Heart. We must protect the Tradition, and the Players, who protect us. Please let this serve as Notice to ALL Television Networks, Stations, and Outlets. God Bless America, and God Bless our great Army-Navy Game!!! President Donald J. Trump.’
