ESPN (DIS) and the College Football Playoff (CFP) have reached a tentative agreement on a six-year extension valued at $7.8 billion, ensuring ESPN's coverage of the 12-team tournament through the 2031-32 season, according to The Athletic.
This agreement, averaging $1.3 billion annually, remains dependent on CFP officials finalizing the expansion details following the Pac-12's disbandment, the report says.
Currently, ESPN is two years into a deal with an annual payment of $608 million, covering the CFP semifinals, championship, and four New Year's Six bowl games. The apparent jump in rights fees from $608 million to $1.3 billion in the new extension deal may seem substantial, but the actual percentage increase is less dramatic as the current contract’s average fails to include the pricing for the on-campus first-round matches.
This extension also offers ESPN the option to sublicense Playoff games, potentially broadening the broadcast reach beyond Disney-owned platforms, subject to ESPN's discretion.
Should it happen, the deal would position ESPN to dominate the broadcasting landscape for almost all Division I college sports championships, with the exception of the men’s basketball tournament.
The latter remains under the purview of CBS, TNT, and their affiliated networks and platforms until 2032.