College Football Playoff expansion is back in the news.

Once the playoff expanded to 12 teams in 2024, it seemed inevitable that more expansion was on the horizon, and according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, that day is finally here, with ESPN close to locking up the broadcast rights. The four-letter network recently has an exclusive negotiating window to secure the television rights.

According to the report, the playoff will expand to 24 teams as early as the 2027 season. The new deal is expected to eliminate conference championship games.

“The CFP and ESPN have been negotiating a new deal for the network to be its continued broadcast partner, leading to a seismic move for the postseason that is also expected to eliminate the lucrative Power 4 conference championship games and start the season a week earlier. While final details have yet to be announced, discussions about the 24-team field have included 19 at-large bids, the Power 4 conference champions as determined by each league, plus the highest-ranked Group of 6 team.

“The New Year’s Six bowls (Rose, Fiesta, Sugar, Peach, Orange, and Cotton) are expected to still host the quarterfinals and semifinals with the national championship game remaining in January.

“Under the proposed plan, teams seeded No. 1 through 8 earn a first-round bye followed by a home game. (The No. 1 seed would face the winner of No. 16 vs. No. 17, and the No. 2 seed would face the winner of No. 15 vs. No. 18). Teams hovering around No. 17 and No. 18 are trying to move up so they can host a first-round home game (awarded to teams seeded No. No. 9-16), while teams at the bottom are constantly trying to stay in the field or protect their spot.”

– Photo courtesy of Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider