Story perspectives

Big Ten mulls CFP expansion; 24-team plan wins support

5/19/2026

Summary

Petitti Proposes CFP

At the May 18-19, 2026 Rancho Palos Verdes meeting, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti displayed the CFP trophy and the men’s (Michigan) and women’s (UCLA) basketball trophies.
He floated three proposals—automatic-qualifier expansion, a private-capital deal for 10% of revenue, and a 24-team at-large CFP—resulting in only the 24-team plan gaining support.
The conference, which holds three CFP titles and men’s and women’s crowns, announced no policy changes while discussing NIL, eligibility and media-rights.

Summary

SEC Leads

The SEC leads all conferences with an average team revenue of $215.5 million, per Jeff Fuller.
The Pac-12 dissolved, moving Washington, Oregon, USC and UCLA to the Big Ten, Stanford and Cal to the ACC.
Miami has become an NIL powerhouse while Texas Tech, led by Cody Campbell, also leverages NIL deals.
Analysts warn Miami could join the SEC and Notre Dame might enter the Big Ten if TV contracts improve.

History

Historical Context

In 1998 the NCAA and major conferences created the Bowl Championship Series, replacing the Bowl Coalition and Bowl Alliance and guaranteeing each automatic-qualifying conference about $21.2 million annually. After the BCS ended in 2014 and the College Football Playoff grew to 12 teams in 2024, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti’s 2026 expansion plan mirrors the BCS’s push for broader inclusion amid the SEC’s $215.5 million revenue lead.

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Petitti Proposes CFP

At the May 18-19, 2026 Rancho Palos Verdes meeting, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti displayed the CFP trophy and the men’s (Michigan) and women’s (UCLA) basketball trophies.
He floated three proposals—automatic-qualifier expansion, a private-capital deal for 10% of revenue, and a 24-team at-large CFP—resulting in only the 24-team plan gaining support.
The conference, which holds three CFP titles and men’s and women’s crowns, announced no policy changes while discussing NIL, eligibility and media-rights.

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