ESPN has reportedly secured a “handshake agreement” to broadcast the expanded 24‑team College Football Playoff (CFP), sources say. The deal is a preliminary step toward the new format, which is set to launch in the 2027 season.
The agreement, described as informal and based on mutual trust, signals ESPN’s intention to remain the primary television partner for college football’s most important postseason games. While the details of the contract have not been disclosed, the handshake suggests that the network and CFP organizers are moving forward with plans to cover the larger field.
Under the forthcoming expansion, the CFP will feature 24 teams instead of the current four, adding a series of play‑in games before the traditional championship match. The change is expected to increase the number of televised games and broaden the scope of the playoff’s reach.
ESPN’s involvement is likely to bring additional revenue and exposure to the new format, as the network has long been the flagship broadcaster for college football. The handshake agreement marks a significant milestone in the rollout of the expanded playoff system.
As the 2027 season approaches, the partnership between ESPN and the CFP will be closely watched by fans and stakeholders eager to see how the expanded tournament will reshape college football’s postseason landscape.
<small>Source: ESPN — read the original story there.</small>