SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has raised the possibility that the College Football Playoff (CFP) could remain at 12 teams beyond the current agreement if stakeholders fail to come to a consensus on future expansion formats. His comments, made during SEC Media Days, underscore growing tensions and uncertainty surrounding the long-term structure of the CFP as college football continues to evolve rapidly.
The current 12-team playoff format is set to begin in the 2024 season and is scheduled to run through the 2025 season. The expansion from four teams to 12 was originally intended to provide greater access to the postseason for more programs and conferences, as well as to increase fan engagement and revenue opportunities. However, as realignment reshapes the collegiate landscape and conference power dynamics shift, discussions about the next phase of the playoff format have grown more complicated.
Sankey, who has been a key voice in shaping the CFP’s future, expressed frustration with the lack of agreement among the conferences and decision-makers involved. “If we can’t agree on a different format, we may stay at 12,” Sankey said. “That’s not a threat. That’s just a reality.” He emphasized that while the SEC is open to discussions about alternative models, it will not support changes that place its teams or competitive standing at a disadvantage.
The comments come amid a backdrop of significant change. With the Big Ten and SEC growing in influence due to lucrative television contracts and expanding membership, other conferences such as the ACC and Big 12 have been pushing for greater representation and equity in the playoff structure. Some proposals have included guaranteed spots for conference champions or modified seeding to protect the value of regular season results.
Sankey made it clear that the SEC does not feel pressure to adjust the format to appease others. “We’re in a position of strength,” he said. “We want to be good collaborators, but collaboration requires fairness, and fairness means not penalizing our teams for success.” He also reiterated that while the SEC was supportive of the original 12-team model, it would not shy away from defending its interests in future negotiations.
The debate over the format goes beyond just the number of teams. Other sticking points include automatic qualifiers versus at-large bids, how bowl games are incorporated into the playoff schedule, and ensuring player welfare during a longer season. Additionally, the financial structure of revenue sharing among participating conferences remains a major issue that has yet to be fully resolved.
College football’s rapid transformation, fueled by NIL (name, image, and likeness) rights, conference realignment, and increasing commercialization, has added pressure on the CFP leadership to make timely decisions that reflect the new realities of the sport. But with so many competing agendas, reaching a consensus has proven elusive.
Sankey’s comments serve as both a warning and a call to action. With time running short before the current 12-team format begins, the window to establish a post-2025 framework is closing quickly. If no agreement is reached, the default option would be to extend the existing structure, possibly with some modifications but without the sweeping reforms that some had envisioned.
For now, the college football world will closely watch how negotiations unfold over the next several months. Whether the playoff remains at 12 teams or expands further will depend not just on logistics and finances, but on the ability of the sport’s leaders to find common ground in an increasingly divided landscape. Sankey’s message was clear: the future of the CFP remains uncertain, and if unity cannot be achieved, the status quo may be the only path forward.
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