Report: FBS conferences, Notre Dame ink CFP deal
All nine FBS conferences and Notre Dame have agreed to a new contract with ESPN for the College Football Playoff that will begin in 2026, sources told ESPN's Heather Dinich and Pete Thamel.
The memorandum of understanding guarantees that the playoff field will include at least 12 teams in 2026 and beyond. Further discussions surrounding a potential 14-team model have been tabled for an undetermined amount of time.
The CFP agreed to terms on a new television contract with ESPN. The broadcaster finalized a six-year extension through 2031 worth $1.3 billion.
Members of the SEC and Big Ten are expected to earn more than $21 million per school, a significant increase from the $5.5 million the schools in each conference earn under the current CFP model.
ACC schools are set to earn $13 million, with the Big 12 program being awarded $12 million annually. Notre Dame is also expected to earn $12 million.
Group of 5 schools will see a modest increase from $1.5 million to $1.8 million beginning in 2026.
Friday's agreement marks a breakthrough for the CFP after concerns arose about the growing disparity between the SEC and Big Ten.
Earlier this week, ACC and Big 12 presidents authorized their commissioners to adopt the new CFP framework, including a new revenue model and concepts around a playoff format, sources told Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger.
Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould was the only commissioner not to sign the new agreement given the uncertain status of the league following the departure of 10 members. The CFP requires conferences to have eight members for its champion to be considered for the playoff field. CFP executive director Bill Hancock said the future of the Pac-12's remaining members, Washington State and Oregon State, as it relates to the playoff, will have to be determined under the new arrangement.
Notre Dame can earn a guaranteed at-large spot based on its CFP rankings, which will be contingent on the number of automatic qualifiers in the finalized format.
The CFP agreed to a 12-team postseason format last month for the 2024 and 2025 campaigns. The format will award five automatic qualifiers to the five highest-ranked champions and include seven at-large bids.