Trending
CFP, ESPN sign new deal
ESPN and the College Football Playoff have agreed to a six-year deal worth $1.3 billion annually that allows the network to keep exclusive rights to the 12-team playoff through the 2031 season, two people with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press.
The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday because a deal cannot be finalized until the CFP works through other outstanding issues regarding the format and revenue distribution.
ESPN was first to report the offer of $1.3 billion annually from the network to the CFP, and The Athletic first reported that an agreement had been reached on those terms.
The playoff expands from four teams to 12 this season but within a preexisting 12-year contract with ESPN that runs through the 2025-26 season. That deal pays the CFP $608 million for seven games annually: two playoff semifinals, a championship game and four other major bowl games.
Elsewhere in college football:
n An attorney for former Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald wants to move up the trial date in a dispute over his firing. Dan Webb says Fitzgerald can't get another major job until he puts a hazing scandal behind him. Webb says the scandal has "decimated" Fitzgerald's career. Fitzgerald was initially suspended for two weeks and then fired last year. Northwestern said he had a responsibility to know that hazing was occurring and should have stopped it. Fitzgerald denies wrongdoing. He responded by suing the school for $130 million. A trial has been set for April 2025. A judge hopes Northwestern and Fitzgerald can settle the lawsuit out of court. "I don't think any party wins if this matter goes to trial," Judge Daniel Kubasiak said.
The Associated Press