Not Time For Expansion Says CFP Committee

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 10: The National Championship Trophy is seen on the field prior to the 2022 CFP National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

After months of speculation and debate College Football Playoff executive director Bill Hancock announced earlier today that the playoff will remain at 4 teams through the remainder of the current contract, which is set to expire after the 2025 season.

One of the more contested topics surrounding the playoff since its inception in 2014 has been the number of teams included. Fans have been clamoring for years that 4 teams isn’t enough, and there was hope we might see a change as soon as this off-season after a 12-team proposal was released this past June.

On Wednesday of this week representatives from each of the 10 FBS conferences, and the Athletic Director for Notre Dame, hosted a video conference where they could not unanimously agree to the proposed expansion. Following the vote their decision was relayed to the CFP board of managers, a group of 11 presidents and chancellors that have the final say. The board of managers met via video conference on Thursday and approved the decision.

The reason? They say there are too many other issues facing NCAA football that would complicate any expansion.

Over the past few years we’ve seen a few major changes to how the sport works. First came the new and improved transfer portal, which many coaches have spoken out against, and now we have the even more controversial NIL laws. The committee used these examples to justify their vote.

The most surprising part of the whole situation though might be how much money was left on the table. According to ESPN, the conferences and schools missed out on upwards of $450 million in potential revenue.

Individuals on the committee came out today and voiced their support for expansion in future, emphasizing that none of the voting members were fully against the idea.

It is unfortunate we won’t see more teams in the upcoming College Football Playoff, but this does at least give some hope for the future.

For more college football news and plenty more, catch the Sports Nerds every weekday from 5:30-7pm here on KGNC!