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The College Football Playoff organizers are in no rush to change the event’s format.

The CFP powerbrokers met Tuesday in Rosemont, Ill., but emerged with no conclusive decisions regarding possible expansion to the existing four-team format.



The commissioners of the 10 Football Bowl Subdivision conferences joined with Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick to discuss format options. The CFB Board of Managers — 11 university presidents and chancellors — joined the group only by video call instead of in-person with the commissioners not ready to put forth an official proposal.

The current format, with ESPN holding the media rights, is part of a 12-year deal that runs through the 2025-26 season.

CFP executive director Bill Hancock said, “We have time, because if the event is going to change before the end of the term, the end of the 12 years, we have three or four months. If it’s going to change in Year 13, then we have a couple of years.”

He added that opinions remain split regarding the CFB’s future format, with four, eight and 12 teams all being considered.

“I can’t stress enough, it’s exactly how the process should work,” Hancock said. “I never expected a rubber stamp on this. It’s too complex.”

ESPN Not Part Of Talks

Hancock added that ESPN was not part of the Tuesday discussions, saying that the CFP plans to decide its structure before finalizing its media plans. ESPN would have the option to pick up any games added before the end of the current contract.

Moving forward to the next contract, it’s likely that the CFP will look to involve more than one media outlet, ESPN.com reported.

Hancock did not announce a schedule for the commissioners’ next meeting.

“Eventually I won’t be able to say we have a lot of time,” he said. “But I think the next meeting will happen … as soon as we can get everybody together. They understand how important this is. It’s important for all of them. It’s important for the people on their campuses.”

–Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)