Nov 10, 2026 · 6 min
College Football Playoff expands as ESPN locks in $1.7 billion deal
SBJ Morning Buzzcast: November 10, 2026
The 24-team playoff reshapes qualification, scheduling, campus hosting and the economics of college football while major sports-media moves unfold elsewhere.
- 1The expanded College Football Playoff introduces 24-team qualification, on-campus games and a new schedule under ESPN’s five-year rights agreement.
- 2Florida State hired alumnus Jeff Purinton as athletics director while continuing its search for a new head football coach.
- 3Miami is expected to host the 2028 NBA All-Star Weekend after a scheduling conflict with the boat show is resolved.
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The episode explains how the 24-team College Football Playoff will combine a larger field with on-campus games and a new national schedule.
The brief
The College Football Playoff is officially expanding to 24 teams, with ESPN securing exclusive rights in a $1.7 billion five-year agreement. The format changes qualification, scheduling, campus hosting and the surrounding calendar.
The expansion also raises questions about conference championship games, the Heisman ceremony and how a larger field changes the balance between national spectacle and campus-based competition.
Florida State hired Learfield executive and alumnus Jeff Purinton as athletics director after a revenue-focused search, while the school continues looking for a new head football coach.
Miami is expected to host the 2028 NBA All-Star Weekend after the Miami International Boat Show is expected to move away from Presidents Day weekend, removing the scheduling obstacle.
Dianna Russini is launching The Rossini Report on BetUS TV’s website and X, covering NFL news and opinions alongside debut guests Bill Parcells and Damon Amendolara.
The episode closes with Josh Carpenter previewing Sports Business Journal’s New York events, including Media Innovators, Dealmakers in Sports, New Voices Under 30 and 40 Under 40.
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