The ten FBS conferences and Notre Dame are anticipated to verify on Friday a 14-team Faculty Soccer Playoff area and up to date income mannequin beginning in 2026, sources near the negotiations inform CBS Sports activities’ Dennis Dodd. Particulars on the 14-team CFP mannequin might be determined at a later time, however the settlement clears the best way for the CFP to comply with a contract extension with ESPN to broadcast the match.
The brand new income mannequin will considerably profit the Huge Ten and SEC, launching them firmly forward of the Huge 12 and ACC shifting ahead. The brand new contract pays the Huge Ten and SEC 29% of the upcoming contract, sources inform Dodd, which works out to roughly $22 million per college. The ACC will obtain 17% ($13-14 million per college) and the Huge 12 will sit round 15% ($12 million per college). The numbers characterize a elevate throughout the board as all Energy 5 establishments obtain roughly $5 million per college within the earlier contract.
The ACC will obtain a barely greater payout within the subsequent contract because the league has produced eight CFP semifinalists to solely two within the persevering with Huge 12, in keeping with ESPN. The proposed contract features a “look-in” clause that permits the CFP to regulate payouts in 2028 based mostly on efficiency, or if there’s one other spherical of realignment.
The Group of 5 will break up 9% of the contract, however the quantity might not be break up evenly among the many groups and 5 conferences. The impartial faculties will break up 1%, whereas Notre Dame will get the majority at round $12 million, in keeping with a number of reviews.
Whereas urgent particulars across the format have but to be finalized, the 14-team playoff represents a departure from the 12-team area, which was agreed to for the ultimate two years of the earlier media rights contract. The CFP will maintain the primary 12-team playoff in 2024 because the preliminary tv rights deal is slated to run out after the 2025 Faculty Soccer Playoff.
When discussions started, sources instructed CBS Sports activities that the Huge Ten and SEC would search to obtain as many as 4 computerized qualifiers every — eight complete — in an expanded playoff. Popping out of the primary Faculty Soccer Playoff Administration Committee assembly, it appeared as if a “3-3-2-2-1” mannequin was gaining probably the most traction; that might have the Huge Ten and SEC receiving three AQs, the ACC and Huge 12 getting two every and the Group of 5 being assured a playoff bid with three at-large spots remaining.
As a part of that mannequin, the Huge Ten and SEC sought to be assured the one two byes within the bracket on an annual foundation with their respective convention champions instantly advancing to the second week of play.
Discussions pivoted after that proposed format led to a considerable outcry with equity being instantly referred to as into query.
