Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

CFP Committee Weighs 16-Team Playoff Amid 24-Team Push

8/12/2026

45 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The CFP committee met Monday to discuss expanding playoff.
ESPN proposed a 16-team bracket with four play-in games, a 20-team field.
Big Ten and Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks pushed a 24-team model while the SEC and ESPN favored 16.
Bob Thompson said ESPN pays $1.3 billion annually, would not add fees for 14 teams, would increase for 16, and warned that expansion beyond 16 could send rights to open market.

1 of 1

Story summary

The CFP committee met Monday to discuss expanding playoff.
ESPN proposed a 16-team bracket with four play-in games, a 20-team field.
Big Ten and Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks pushed a 24-team model while the SEC and ESPN favored 16.
Bob Thompson said ESPN pays $1.3 billion annually, would not add fees for 14 teams, would increase for 16, and warned that expansion beyond 16 could send rights to open market.