The expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) to include more teams has not only transformed the sport’s landscape by drawing greater attention to college football rankings and news, but it has also proven to be a financial boon for teams, players, broadcasters, and advertisers alike.
This column explores how this expansion has driven increased media coverage and fan engagement, and why the resulting financial benefits—ranging from team revenues and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) earnings to TV and cable revenues and advertising opportunities—are good for everyone involved.
Increased Attention on Rankings and Media Coverage
Expanding the college football playoff has resulted in a heightened focus on weekly rankings, playoff implications, and team performances throughout the season. Under the old four-team playoff system, discussions largely centered around a handful of elite programs, but the new format with 12 or more teams now opens the door for a much broader group of contenders.
With more teams in the hunt for a national championship, every game becomes critical, and fans are glued to the rankings week after week.
This increased attention has spurred a rise in media coverage, with sports news outlets dedicating more time to breaking down playoff scenarios, analyzing team performances, and debating which teams deserve a playoff spot. This consistent media presence not only drives fan interest but also generates a ripple effect that benefits the business side of college football.
Financial Benefits for Teams: Boosting Revenue Streams
The expanded playoff system has led to significant financial benefits for college football programs. For teams, especially those from smaller conferences or non-traditional powerhouses, earning a playoff berth means more than just a shot at the national title—it means increased revenue from ticket sales, merchandise, and higher visibility for the program.
Schools that reach the playoffs can capitalize on larger crowds, both at home games leading up to the playoffs and at neutral-site playoff games, where demand for tickets tends to surge. Playoff success also boosts alumni donations, sponsorship deals, and recruiting efforts, all of which translate to higher long-term revenues for college football programs. For schools that have historically been excluded from the playoff picture, this expansion provides a new pathway to financial success.
Benefits for Players: Increased NIL Revenues
Players are also major beneficiaries of the expanded playoff format, particularly in the context of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. With more teams making the playoffs and staying relevant longer into the season, players on a wider range of teams gain increased visibility.
This heightened exposure is crucial for securing lucrative NIL deals with brands, as companies are more likely to invest in athletes who are frequently in the media spotlight and competing in high-stakes games.
Additionally, players from teams outside the traditional top-tier programs now have greater opportunities to showcase their talents in nationally televised playoff games, which can help boost their individual marketability.
By appearing in more playoff games and receiving more attention, these athletes become more attractive to potential sponsors and advertisers, leading to a significant uptick in NIL earnings.
TV and Cable Revenues: A Win for Networks and Advertisers
The expansion of the college football playoff has also driven a surge in television and cable revenues. With more teams in contention, there is greater demand for nationally televised games, particularly late in the season when playoff races heat up. Networks benefit from increased viewership, as fans from a wider range of teams tune in to see how the playoff picture will unfold.
Television and cable deals are among the most lucrative aspects of college football, and the expanded playoff format allows broadcasters to sell more prime-time slots for playoff games and late-season matchups with playoff implications. The extended playoff system also creates more advertising opportunities during these games, as more viewers tune in, leading to higher ad revenues for both broadcasters and advertisers.
Advertiser Benefits: A Larger Audience
Advertisers stand to gain considerably from the expanded college football playoff, as the longer and more competitive playoff race draws in a broader and more diverse audience. More games with playoff implications lead to increased TV ratings, which in turn drives up the value of commercial slots during those games. Advertisers are eager to reach the passionate, engaged college football fanbase, and the expanded playoff system allows them to do so on an even greater scale.
In addition to playoff games themselves, advertisers also benefit from the increased coverage of rankings and playoff scenarios throughout the season. The build-up to the playoff, with weekly rankings shows and analysis programs, creates even more opportunities for brands to reach audiences through sponsorships and advertisements, further enhancing their ability to connect with college football fans.
Transfer Portal Even Bigger
The expanded playoff system is also likely to strengthen the college football transfer portal, as players seek to position themselves on teams with a higher likelihood of making the playoffs. With more teams now in contention for a national title, athletes are more motivated to transfer to programs that have a legitimate chance of reaching the expanded playoff field.
This dynamic creates a more competitive and robust transfer system, where talented players from smaller programs or those seeking more playing time can move to higher-profile schools that are playoff contenders. As a result, schools with growing reputations benefit from attracting top-tier talent, creating a more dynamic balance of power across college football. This increased player mobility enhances the competitive landscape and further fuels the excitement of the playoff race, as rosters become stronger and more capable of making deep playoff runs
Revenue
The value of NCAA Football Playoff (CFP) revenue has significantly increased due to recent contracts and structural changes. In March 2024, a new six-year agreement between ESPN and the College Football Playoff was announced, worth $7.8 billion, averaging about $1.3 billion annually.
This deal extends ESPN's rights to broadcast the CFP through the 2031 season. The expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) from a four team format to a 12-team format is expected to significantly increase revenue for the NCAA and colleges. Projections suggest that this expansion could boost annual revenue from around $600 million to over $2 billion. This increase in revenue would benefit not only the conferences but also the NCAA's financial intake.
Enhanced Fan Experience: More Excitement and Engagement
From a fan’s perspective, the expanded playoff format injects new excitement into the entire college football season. With more teams in contention for a national title, fans of a wider variety of programs have reasons to stay engaged throughout the year. Every week, rankings are more crucial, and the possibility of dramatic movement in the standings keeps fans on the edge of their seats.
For fans of teams that previously had little hope of making the playoffs, the expanded format gives them new reason to believe their team can compete for a national championship. This broader competition also enhances the viewing experience for neutral fans, who are treated to more unpredictable and exciting games as a result of the higher stakes.
Conclusion
The expansion of the college football playoff has had far-reaching effects on the sport, increasing attention on rankings and playoff races while providing financial benefits for teams, players, broadcasters, colleges, local communities, and advertisers alike. The expanded format offers teams a greater chance at success, boosts NIL revenues for players by providing more exposure, and generates higher TV and cable revenues through increased viewership and advertising opportunities. Meanwhile, fans enjoy a more exciting and competitive college football season with more teams to root for, creating a win-win situation for everyone involved in the world of college football.
________________
Commissioner George Mentz JD MBA CILS CWM® is the first in the USA to rank as a Top 50 Influencer & Thought Leader in: Management, PM, HR, FinTech, Wealth Management, and B2B according to Onalytica.com and Thinkers360.com. George Mentz JD MBA CILS is a CWM Chartered Wealth Manager ®, global speaker - educator, tax-economist, international lawyer and CEO of the GAFM Global Academy of Finance & Management ®. The GAFM is a EU accredited graduate body that trains and certifies professionals in 150+ nations under standards of the: US Dept of Education, ACBSP, ISO 21001, ISO 991, ISO 29993, QAHE, ECLBS, and ISO 29990 standards. Mentz is also an award winning author and award winning graduate law professor of wealth management of one of the top 30 ranked law schools in the USA.