CFBSep 30
CFP expansion talks advance, but 24-team format remains unresolved
Playoff leaders made no scheduling decisions for 2027 as revenue negotiations and questions about conference title games remain open.
By OddsListing wire desk
· 2 min read
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Negotiations shape expansion timeline
College Football Playoff leaders continued evaluating a 24-team field Wednesday at Big Ten headquarters in Rosemont, Illinois, without voting on calendar or scheduling changes for the 2027 season. CFP executive director Rich Clark said work on several expansion-related issues had cleared the way for negotiations, but potential revenue remains unknown. Financial terms are not the only factor in determining whether the playoff grows. The CFP is operating within a 30-day negotiating window with its exclusive broadcast rights holder. That period ends Oct. 9, after which the event could enter the open market. A decision on changing the format for 2027 is due by Dec. 1. Clark indicated the talks could require the entire negotiating period.
Title games and campus sites still in play
The management committee is still examining how an expanded playoff would fit on the calendar. Conferences retain control over their championship games, though a 24-team format would likely mean eliminating Power 4 title games. Group of 6 leagues would not necessarily have to follow suit. Clark favors a break between the regular season and the playoff for player health and safety. Campus venues are the likely option for second-round games, but that arrangement remains under discussion.
Scheduling standards remain unsettled
The SEC has sought a common scheduling requirement under which Power 4 teams would face 10 opponents from those leagues or Notre Dame. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti has publicly supported the proposal, but it was not finalized Wednesday. Protecting the regular season remains central to the discussions, even as leaders acknowledge uncertainty about expansion’s effects. No additional in-person meeting is scheduled, though the committee could reconvene as negotiations require.
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