The 2026 college football season is already being shaped by a cast of power brokers whose influence stretches far beyond the gridiron. From the halls of the NCAA to the primetime stages of national networks, a handful of individuals are steering the sport’s direction.
A New Power Equation
Legal breakthroughs have already altered the landscape. Judge Charlotte Sweeney recently granted a class‑wide preliminary injunction that clears the path for athletes to claim a fifth year of eligibility, a move that could reshape scholarship limits and roster planning across the country.
In the media arena, personalities such as Pat McAfee bring a fresh, unfiltered voice that resonates with fans, while executives like Eric Shanks at Fox Sports and Pete Bevacqua at Notre Dame are expanding the reach of college football broadcasts into new markets.
Behind the scenes, conference leaders are jockeying for position. Greg Sankey continues to fortify the SEC’s media dominance, whereas Jim Phillips defends the ACC’s federal protections. Meanwhile, Chris Del Conte’s strategic push to bring Texas into the SEC has already reverberated through the financial models of the league.
Coaching brilliance also plays a central role. Kirby Smart’s Georgia side has captured two College Football Playoff titles, and Curt Cignetti’s revival of Indiana has put the Hoosiers back on the national radar. Their successes feed into broader conversations about competitive balance and revenue distribution.
At the intersection of athletics and commerce, Cole Gahagan, CEO of Learfield, oversees more than $300 million in name‑image‑likeness (NIL) transactions, while Bryan Seeley’s leadership at the College Sports Commission has secured legal victories for multimedia rights holders, reshaping how student‑athletes monetize their brands.
Political pressure is mounting, too. Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell have co‑sponsored the Protect College Sports Act, a bipartisan effort that reflects growing congressional interest. Even President Donald Trump has voiced support for reforms, aligning with advocates like Jeff Kessler, whose litigation has challenged longstanding NCAA eligibility rules.
Representation matters as well. Agencies such as Athletes First (A1) and its high‑profile clients, including Ohio State’s Ryan Day, are negotiating ever‑larger NIL deals, while Chad Chatlos at Turnkey ZRG places top coaches into the most coveted programs, influencing the on‑field product that fans watch.
Jere Morehead, president of the University of Georgia, opposes the Big Ten’s CFP expansion and pushes for SEC autonomy through federal reform, while Mark Keenum, president of Mississippi State, chairs the CFP Board of Managers and champions SEC independence from NCAA governance.
Jimmy Sexton, head of CAA’s college coaches representation, negotiates contracts for top coaches and shapes salary discussions that affect the sport’s competitive balance.
Burke Magnus, president of ESPN’s content division, empowers talent like Pat McAfee, steering the narrative that dominates college football coverage, and Tony Petitti, commissioner of the Big Ten, leads a conference that dominates CFP titles and revenue distribution, solidifying its position at the sport’s core.
Together, these figures illustrate a sport in flux, where legal rulings, media contracts, conference realignments, and political advocacy intersect to define the future of college football.