College football coaches endorse 24-team playoff, eliminating conference title games

Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images College football coaches are moving to support a 24-team College Football Playoff format. The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), a group that represents many prominent college football coaches, reportedly voted last week to support a 24-team playoff format and discontinue conference championship games, per Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports . The news comes amid heated discussion about the future of the sport’s postseason, with battle lines being drawn between conferences and their associated television networks in recent weeks.

While the AFCA has no formal authority over the future of the College Football Playoff, its coaches have the ability to influence decision-makers, like the conference commissioners and university presidents who form the CFP’s governance committee. The most vocal opposition for the 24-team playoff format comes from SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, who has been adamant in support for a 16-team format that would ease the CFP into expansion. Privately, reports have emerged that ESPN executives have also dismissed the 24-team playoff , suggesting alignment between the SEC and its exclusive media rights partner.

ESPN, for its part, is guaranteed broadcast rights for any games up to a 14-team format. Beyond that, additional games would be brought to the open market. A smaller format would ensure ESPN retains near-exclusive control over the playoff.

On the other side of the equation are the Big Ten and Fox Sports. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti has supported the idea of a 24-team playoff , in some form or fashion, since last summer. And last month, Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks publicly endorsed the 24-team format .