The expanded playoff news has a wrinkle in it that has been discussed in the past. The Presidents have expressed a desire to start the 12 team playoff in 2024. That requires a unanimous vote as the 2024 and 2025 years still come under the umbrella of the old current playoff system where a unanimous vote is required for any changes to the current system. More importantly, ESPN has the sole rights to telecast all the playoff games in those two years. The TV contract will have to be amended (to ESPN's liking) if it goes to 12 games in 2024 and 2025, but the Presidents probably will want more than one network involved. So now the real fun begins. "Rumor has it" that ESPN is very willing to support the expansion in 2024 and 2025. But everything has a price. ESPN will control the process for 2024 and 2025 the same way that FOX controlled the process for the new Big Ten media rights deal. And it is unclear if this process will include years 2026 and later. In other words, will they really just do a two year adjustment and start all over again for 2026 and later? Don't know.
ESPN in the driver's seat for now
- Thread starter northvanole
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