ORLANDO, Fla. — The College Football Playoff took another step toward possible expansion when the group’s Board of Managers authorized a study on the impact of a proposed 12-team model.
The board, which is comprised of 11 school presidents and chancellors, met in Dallas Tuesday to discuss the latest proposal put forth by a playoff working group. The recommendation presented by the CFP management group, which is composed of the 10 conference commissioners and Notre Dame athletics director Jack Swarbrick, would expand the playoff from its current four-team model to include 12 teams.
“The four-team playoff has been a great success and I’m confident it will remain a success,” said CFP Board chairman Mark Keenum. “Nevertheless, it is our responsibility to explore options to make it even better by increasing the number of schools that participate in it.
“Having heard the presentation made today by the working group, along with the management committee that joined us for today’s meeting, the board has authorized the management committee to begin a summer review phase that will engage other important voices in this matter.”
Among those the board is hoping to hear from during this study are athletes, athletic directors, coaches and university presidents and chancellors.
“Their opinions are important, and we want to hear them,” added Keenum. “We look forward to hearing more and learning more in time for our next meeting in September.”
Keenum also said the CFP Board is looking to gather opinions from their bowl and television partners.
The proposed 12-team playoff model would be composed of the six highest-ranked conference champions and six at-large teams determined by the 13-member selection committee. The four highest-ranked conference champions would be seeded one through four and would get a bye while the eight other teams would be seeded five through 12 and would play first-round games on campus sites.
The four quarterfinal games and two semifinal games would take place at bowl sites.
The CFP Board’s next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 28. At that time, the group could hear feedback gathered from the management committee members over the next several months. The board has the final vote as to possible expansion.
This is the eighth year of a 12-year contract for the playoff, which runs through 2025-26.
Access has long been a catalyst for change to the playoff.
Eleven teams have qualified for the 28 available semifinal spots — with Alabama (6), Clemson (6), Ohio State (4), Oklahoma (4) and Notre Dame (2) making multiple appearances. It’s the concern over a lack of variety among the playoff participants that’s caused the biggest pushback, particularly among fans.
The 12-team proposal is without automatic qualifiers, opening the door for better access for conferences outside of the Power Five. Something leagues like the American have long been crusading for particularly after strong seasons by Cincinnati (2020) and UCF (2017-18).
Money is also another consideration for expansion.
ESPN paying the conferences $7.3 billion over the 12 years for broadcasting rights for the semifinal games and New Year’s Six access bowl games. According to Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports, a 12-team playoff could be worth approximately $1 billion per year.
