CFP and ESPN negotiations extend to next week without expected deal
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 9, 2026, 12:00 AM
Last updated Oct 9, 2026
Negotiations between College Football Playoff leadership and ESPN regarding a proposed 24-team format will continue into next week. The deadline for reaching an agreement was set for Friday, but reports indicate that no deal is anticipated. Without an agreement, CFP leadership must formally propose the expansion, giving ESPN five business days to respond. If negotiations do not advance by October 19, the proposal could be brought to the open market for other networks to consider. A 24-team playoff could eliminate conference championship games, with current estimates valuing those games at $300 million.
- •Negotiations originally scheduled to conclude on Friday extend to next week.
- •CFP must make a formal proposal to ESPN if no agreement is reached.
- •ESPN has five business days to respond to any formal proposal.
- •Failure to reach a deal by October 19 may open bidding to other networks.
- •A 24-team playoff proposal would eliminate conference championship games, valued at $300 million.
- 12:00 AMYahoo Sports — CFP, ESPN negotiating window extends to next week; no deal is expected, per report
"This Friday was the deadline for College Football Playoff leadership and ESPN to reach an agreement regarding a proposed 24-team format, but it appears as if any news about the contents of those negotiations will have to wait at least a week. According to a report by Ross Dellenger in On3, Friday is the day…
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