TCU AD irked by CFP not expanding, ‘no reasonable argument’ to stay at four teams
The College Football Playoff is staying at four teams for the next four seasons.
That wasn’t the news any college football fan wanted to hear on Friday, including TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati. Donati admitted he was “very frustrated” that a number of his colleagues couldn’t reach a consensus to expand the CFP.
“An expanded playoff and more access is a positive thing for everyone,” Donati said. “There is no reasonable argument to the contrary. I still remain hopeful that ultimately this will get done down the road.”
Down the road is following the 2025 season, which is when the CFP’s current 12-year contract expires. ESPN has exclusive rights to broadcast the CFP and exclusive negotiating rights until the contract expires.
A story posted on ESPN about the CFP staying at four teams said the 10 FBS conferences and Notre Dame forfeited roughly $450 million in potential revenue.
Over the summer, there was momentum for the CFP to expand from four teams to 12 teams and the proposal was given to the CFP’s board of managers. However, that proposal was made just weeks before the college sports world shifted with another round of realignment when Texas and Oklahoma announced its intentions to leave the Big 12 for the SEC.
The latest round of realignment essentially tabled CFP expansion talk and, as we found out Friday, ultimately derailed it.
The silver lining may be that the next CFP contract will bring in additional TV partners to broadcast games. That is what conferences such as the Big 12 want in order to maximize the league’s TV revenue.
Seeing a network such as NBC being linked to making a strong push for Big Ten media rights in 2023 is a welcomed sight by many in the Big 12 as it prepares for its next TV deal without flagships UT and OU.
“Generally speaking, more competition in the marketplace is a great sign,” Donati said.
Unfortunately for many, there won’t be more competition in the CFP beyond the four teams for the next four seasons. It’s a format that has generally been viewed as better than its predecessors but not perfect by any stretch.
As CFP executive director Bill Hancock said in a statement, “Even though the outcome did not lead to a recommendation for an early expansion before the end of the current 12-year contract, the discussions have been helpful and informative. I am sure they will serve as a useful guide for the Board of Managers and for the Management Committee as we determine what the Playoff will look like beginning in the 2026-2027 season.
“I thank the working group for its hard work that resulted in the 12-team proposal, and the Management Committee for its thorough and diligent job reviewing it and other possible expansion ideas. This has been a long, careful, and detailed process that involved many people considering a complex matter. I am grateful to everyone for their dedication to college football and the detailed and deliberative effort everyone put into the consideration of a different format. I know the four-team event will continue to be successful.”
