ESPN REPORT: $1.3B Annually CFP, Sign Up Key Player For Six Years extension

ESPN and the College Football Playoff have reached an agreement whereby the former will carry the College Football Playoff through the 2031–2032 season.

For the final two years (through the 2025–2026 season), ESPN will increase the scope of its current package by adding all four of the new first-round games annually to its current New Year’s Six, which are now the quarterfinals and semifinals, as well as the CFP national championship rights in the new 12-team playoff that will begin play in the fall.

ESPN and CFP agree to a 6-year agreement through 2031 at a cost of $1.3 billion a year.
The six-year deal pays $1.3 billion year on average, according to Yahoo! Sports.

Additionally, ESPN has negotiated a six-year deal with the CFP, starting in the 2026–2027 season. This deal gives ESPN exclusive access to all rounds of the expanded playoff and, going forward, to all related ancillary programming, including the CFP Selection Show and weekly Top 25 Rankings Shows.

“We are thrilled to maintain our enduring partnership with ESPN,” stated Bill Hancock, Executive Director of CFP, in a statement. ”

Today is important for college football’s future as well as the CFP.” There is no comparison to the extensive coverage ESPN provides for the sport during the season.

As we transition to the new 12-team system, there is no better platform to highlight this historic victory since ESPN employees share our passion for college football.

ESPN is granted permission to sublicense a specific number of games by the CFP under both the terms of the new six-year deal and the modified two-year arrangement.

“For the past ten years, ESPN and the College Football Playoff have collaborated closely to create one of the most prestigious sporting events in the United States,” ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro stated. ”

As we begin this new, extended playoff phase, we look forward to strengthening our cherished partnership over the next two years and then maintaining it for six more.

This deal reaffirms ESPN’s position as the home of college football and the site of the great majority of important collegiate titles for the ensuing eight years.