Big Ten's Tony Petitti on move to 24-team College Football Playoff — 'If we have to wait, it's OK. We'll wait.'
The Big Ten's commissioner says the league is sticking to its preference on expanding the postseason — even if it means keeping the playoff at 12 teams until everybody else is on board.
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif. — Tony Petitti left no doubt or wiggle room: The Big Ten wants a 24-team playoff or bust. During an hour-long news conference with reporters on Tuesday, as Big Ten administrative spring meetings wound down here on the Pacific cliffs, the league’s commissioner sent a clear message about the future of college football’s postseason.
“There is a deep commitment to 24,” he said. And if the SEC doesn’t agree immediately this year, that’s OK too. The playoff would then remain at 12.
“If we have to wait, it’s OK. We’ll wait,” he said. The SEC and Big Ten, for a year now, have been locked in a disagreement over the future playoff format.
This year, the postseason will remain at 12 teams, but executives must decide before a Dec. 1 ESPN deadline for 2027. According to a memorandum of understanding that the conferences and Notre Dame signed in March 2024, the Big Ten and SEC must agree on a format for it to be adopted.
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