College Football Playoff: the 24-team plan

“Constructive discussions with ESPN continued this week. We have enjoyed a strong partnership with ESPN since our inception and are appreciative of the productive dialogue we have had throughout the negotiating period and continuing over the last several days. We will provide additional updates on the matters of future format and media rights when appropriate.”

“I think I've always communicated that we've never said no that won't happen, that won't be a point of support. I think there's an openness to playoff expansion on our part -- I think certainly there's an openness. Attitudes change over time and perspectives change, and so we'll see where that leads us from a final decision standpoint.”

“The longevity of the championship game still hangs in the balance a little bit.”

“While Friday, October 9 marked the end of the exclusive 30-day negotiating period with ESPN, we continue to have ongoing discussions with ESPN regarding media rights connected to potential Playoff expansion to 24 teams.”

“We have looked at this for some time now, and a lot of thought has gone into it. And we believe that we can do this, and that it'll be good for college football. But we have to make sure that every aspect of it—to include the financials, to include the media partners that we would connect with—that that's all good, and that it's right for college football.”

“We need to play more good games. I think we've been really clear about that. We think that the season can start way better than it does. We're committed to that. If we get to a 24-team Playoff, you are going to see many more competitive games scheduled. That's my belief.”

“We continue to just request that Army-Navy remain in an exclusive broadcast window, and with the hope that that's also positioned in the manner that Navy would have the ability to compete in the CFP if warranted.”

“So I think if you create more access, and I've always said the word equitable, I don't necessarily agree with having a selection committee. I think there should be a way to earn it, but neither here nor there. You have 24 teams. You're going to have more teams now with this nine-game conference schedule, still willing to go play that big out-of-conference game because they know if they lose it, a la Texas-Ohio State last year, they're not all of a sudden behind the eight ball. They still have a chance to play their way in, and I think that's the only way we're going to keep those kinds of games around.”

“We've looked at it and said CFP selection decisions are negatively impacting regular-season scheduling, particularly big non-conference games. That needs to be addressed first”

“They have worked through a lot of the issues to be seriously talking about this format. So, we're more serious about it than we have been in the past. But there are still some things we have to work through.”

“The CFP has decided to move forward in its evaluation of potential Playoff expansion to 24 teams by beginning a media rights discussion with ESPN. This does not represent a decision or commitment to expand, but rather an opportunity to engage with ESPN and gather additional information to help determine a path forward.”

“If you get to 24, we're going to put our money where our mouth is. We're going to do what we said, which is we're going to improve our schedules. I'm totally comfortable doing that as a commitment.”

“Having more teams in a tournament to determine a champion is not going to make it worse.”

“We're not interested in finding the easiest path, we are focused on finding the right path.”

“I liked 16 initially. As I learned more about it, obviously, without the additional AQs, when 24 became part of the conversation, we've done our own conference due diligence around it, and we think it might be a great fit for us.”

“I think really the second Monday in January should be the latest that we play college football.”

“The College Football Playoff expanding to 24 teams IS THE RIGHT MOVE for College Football to survive in the current landscape.”