"College Football Playoff Extends ESPN Contract Through 2031, Expansion Pending"
The College Football Playoff has reached a new contract with ESPN, set to begin in 2026 and pay $1.3 billion annually. The deal includes a new revenue-distribution model heavily favoring the Big Ten and SEC, with protections for Notre Dame and Group of Five teams. The format for the playoff is yet to be finalized, but a 5+7 12-team model is set for 2024 and 2025. The SEC and Big Ten are expected to have significant influence on the format starting in 2026, with various 14-team formats under consideration. The contract also accounts for future athlete compensation models and potential retroactive payments from ongoing antitrust lawsuits.