College football's governing bodies gathered recently to hash out the future shape of the national championship tournament, weighing proposals that would swell the field from the current 12‑team format to either 16 or 24 teams.
Rich Clark, the executive director of the College Football Playoff, told participants that while the discussions yielded useful insights, a great deal of data still needs to be collected before any concrete decisions can be made.
The next convening is slated for September, with the possibility of additional sessions should the parties deem further refinement necessary.
Among the logistical questions on the table are how expanded brackets would affect venue allocations, scheduling density and the distribution of media rights, all of which will shape the financial calculus for conferences.
Conference Preferences Take Shape
Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey has been a vocal advocate for a 16‑team model, while leaders in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big 12 have publicly signaled a preference for a 24‑team arrangement.
The Big Ten, which originally floated the 24‑team concept, continues to back that larger format, reflecting a broader push among several power conferences to increase postseason participation.
The College Football Playoff expanded to a dozen entrants in 2024 and retained that structure through the most recent season, but executives have acknowledged that a longer‑term solution may require a bigger bracket.
Betting Controversy Highlights Risks
Meanwhile, the issue of sports wagering has resurfaced, highlighted by the case of quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who has opted to enter the NFL supplemental draft rather than suit up for Texas Tech this fall.
Sorsby’s move resolves a legal dispute over his college eligibility after he admitted to betting on professional and collegiate sporting events, underscoring the intertwined risks of betting and athlete status.