The College Football Playoff: How a Delayed Decision Led to a New Era in College Athletics
In January of 2022, a pivotal meeting took place in Indianapolis where the most powerful leaders in college football gathered to vote on expanding the College Football Playoff. After months of discussions and disagreements, the meeting ended without a decision, leaving the future of the playoff uncertain.
Fast forward to last month, when commissioners finally agreed on a new CFP structure with an uneven revenue distribution model that heavily favors the SEC and Big Ten conferences. This new model has sparked concerns about the widening gap between the haves and have-nots in college athletics.
The new deal includes a six-year extension with ESPN as the sole rights-holder, guaranteeing an average of $1.3 billion annually. The revenue distribution model allocates 29% each to the SEC and Big Ten, with the ACC receiving 17.1% and the Big 12 getting 14.7%. The remaining funds will be distributed to Notre Dame and the Group of Five teams.
The implications of this new structure are far-reaching, with some schools facing significant financial disparities. The ACC, in particular, is feeling the pressure as schools like Florida State and Clemson consider leaving the conference due to the financial gap with the SEC and Big Ten.
Negotiations were intense and at times heated, with commissioners pushing for the best deal for their respective conferences. The SEC, in particular, took a hard line, threatening to walk away from the deal if their demands were not met.
As college football moves into an uncertain future, questions remain about the impact of the new CFP structure on the sport. With mounting pressures from litigation, athlete compensation, and private equity, the landscape of college athletics is evolving rapidly.
The next iteration of the College Football Playoff remains uncertain, with discussions already underway about potential changes to the format and selection process. As the power dynamics in college football continue to shift, the future of the sport hangs in the balance.