CFP and ESPN Near Framework for 24-Team Playoff

The College Football Playoff and ESPN are nearing an agreement on a proposed expansion to 24 teams beginning in 2027, but the framework has not received final approval and a contract remains unfinished. A person familiar with the negotiations described the arrangement as a handshake framework, with details still to be completed. The College Football Playoff has said discussions with ESPN are continuing and that it will provide updates on future format and media rights when appropriate. The discussions do not themselves amount to a decision to expand. The proposed field would include 19 at-large teams, the champions of the four Power Four conferences and the highest-ranked Group of Six team. The top eight seeds would receive first-round byes. Seeds nine through 16 would host opening-round games against seeds 17 through 24, with the winners advancing to play the top eight teams on campus. The first two rounds would be played at college sites, while major bowls would host the quarterfinals and semifinals. The national championship would remain in January, according to descriptions of the proposed format. The expansion would add 12 games to the current 12-team playoff. ESPN...