Top College Conferences to Discuss Potential Scheduling Partnership and Playoff Reform
In a significant development, athletic directors from two of the nation’s premier college athletic conferences are set to convene in Nashville, Tennessee, next week to explore a potential partnership in football scheduling. This meeting marks the latest iteration of a joint advisory group formed earlier this year, comprising university presidents, chancellors, and athletic directors from both conferences.
The discussion is expected to center around the possibility of automatic bids to the College Football Playoff, with sources indicating a strong preference for multiple guaranteed spots for each conference. This move could significantly impact the current playoff landscape, which has been dominated by a 13-member selection committee.
While the exact format of the future playoff remains uncertain, sources suggest that a system with multiple automatic bids could help minimize subjectivity and provide more postseason opportunities for teams. Some have even proposed limiting or eliminating the role of the selection committee altogether.
The meeting comes at a critical juncture, with the current College Football Playoff contract set to expire in 2026. A new agreement worth $7.8 billion over six years is slated to take effect, with ESPN securing the broadcast rights. However, the exact structure of the playoff remains a topic of debate, with protections in place for certain conference champions and the highest-ranked Group of 5 champion.
Sources close to the discussions acknowledge that no concrete decisions are expected to be made next week, but the meeting is seen as a crucial step towards shaping the future of college football. With athletic directors from both conferences set to meet regularly in the coming weeks, there is optimism that tangible progress can be made towards creating a more equitable and exciting postseason landscape.
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