24-team CFP on table as ESPN window opened, sources say

24-team CFP on table as ESPN window opened, sources say. Skip to main content Skip to navigation 24-team CFP on table as ESPN window to open3hHeather DinichMAC reverses course, wants WMU recognized as winner in Michigan gameMichigan Wolverines4hJake TrotterSEC schedules vote about whether to expel LSU from conferenceLSU Tigers8hPete Thamel, +2 MoreMichigan out of AP Top 25 after win; LSU up to 8thLSU Tigers5hIowa band member taken off life support after collapsing at gameIowa Hawkeyes7hAdam RittenbergNotre Dame safety Johnson, DL Onye to miss a few weeksNotre Dame Fighting Irish6hAdam RittenbergDabo accepts criticism for loss, pushes back on roster buildingClemson Tigers6hSandusky pulls recantation claim in retrial questPenn State Nittany Lions8hRobert KlemkoWMU Public Safety Department posts joking 'robbery' crime log following Michigan lossWestern Michigan Broncos50mESPN staffWay too early Bubble Watch: Who looks good for CFP?

What happened

Leaders of the College Football Playoff on Tuesday agreed to open a 30-day negotiating window with sole rights holder ESPN. Opening the window will help determine if a 24-team field is a worthwhile endeavor. LSU Tigers2dBill ConnellyProjecting the CFP top 12 after Week 1: Marathon opening slate sets up massive Week 2Ohio State Buckeyes2dHeather DinichWMU Public Safety Department posts joking 'robbery' crime log following Michigan lossWestern Michigan Broncos50mESPN staff'Shipwrecked': Alabama's East Carolina jab leads Week 1 college football trollsSan José State Spartans2dESPN StaffplayHow close is the CFP to expanding to 24 teams? (1:34)Heather DinichSep 8, 2026, 04:22 PM ETMultiple AuthorsEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLeaders of the College Football Playoff on Tuesday agreed to open a 30-day negotiating window with ESPN, signaling their greatest interest yet in a 24-team CFP field that could begin as soon as 2027.

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NC State Wolfpack13hHeather DinichCollege Football Playoff predictions after Week 1Ohio State Buckeyes13hESPN StaffBowl projections: Which teams could we see in the postseason following Week 1 results? "The CFP has decided to move forward in its evaluation of potential Playoff expansion to 24 teams by beginning a media rights discussion with ESPN," the CFP said in a statement Tuesday. Opening the window will help determine whether a 24-team field will generate enough revenue to compensate for the loss of conference championship games and bring in additional revenue.

This year is the first season of a new six-year deal with ESPN, and the network will remain the sole rights holder to the playoff as long as the format is 12 or 14 teams, which is what the contract currently includes.

The wider picture

If the CFP expands beyond 14 teams, ESPN has an exclusive first negotiation right to acquire the additional games. The CFP had to be the entity to open the window for negotiation — not ESPN. When the playoff expanded to 12 teams, ESPN was the only network that bid on the games. She started covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has covered the team since 2009. Sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network Ian Rapoport on Tuesday it's a three-year extension worth $165 million.

Mayfield and the Bucs had broken off talks just before the start of training camp, and they had not begun speaking again until this past weekend, sources told ESPN. "The Bucs had felt their final offer of two years and $50 million was competitive and not far off, sources had told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "When asked four days later if the team's ownership was comfortable with the type of figure Mayfield was asking for — especially given the Bucs' history of signing journeyman quarterbacks to short-term deals — Licht said, "You're always comfortable with a great player and you make things work.

What has been reported

Ohio State Buckeyes13hKyle Bonagura and Mark SchlabachCollege football Power Rankings: First impressions of the Top 25 following Week 1Ohio State Buckeyes13hESPNNews or noise? OSU; Oklahoma faves at MichiganOhio State Buckeyes59mESPNWeek 1 overreactions: LSU is back! While those within the room insist this is not a commitment to a 24-team field at this time, the move does indicate that the Big Ten and SEC now agree it's worth a discussion with the event's sole rights holder to see what the value of it would be.

"This does not represent a decision or commitment to expand, but rather an opportunity to engage with ESPN and gather additional information to help determine a path forward. "It's possible the negotiating window could start as soon as Wednesday, according to a source. The Power 4 conference championship games have media value of at least $200 million, according to sources, and that doesn't include the tens of millions the games generate in tickets, sponsorships and other game-day revenue.

If ESPN and the CFP don't reach agreement in the 30-day period, the CFP can then shop the net 10 additional games to the open market, but with ESPN retaining certain matching rights. ESPN retains control of the current 11 games (including all quarterfinals, both semifinals and the national championship game), plus the first two newly added games regardless.

What happens next

This past spring, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said his preference for a media partner in a 24-team field is "whomever's committed to making it work. "[ESPN] has a deep commitment to college football every week. They're not our partner during the regular season, but we do have games that cross over on ESPN, and those games typically do very well, just like the ones we have on Fox and [CBS/NBC]. "The Big Ten first initiated the idea of a 24-team field in February, and it has steadily gained steam to this point, with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey saying publicly that he is open to consideration but still not committed.

The 24-team format would consist of the 23 best teams and one spot for the Group of 6. The top eight teams would receive byes, and there would be eight first-round games played on campus followed by another week of home games with eight second-round games on campus. All of the top teams would be rewarded with a playoff home game, and the playoff likely would start in the second weekend of December.

The report has been compiled by The Daily Waves using information reported across espn.com, theverge.com. Details are presented according to the information available at the time of publication and may change as authorities, organisers or other relevant parties provide updates.