The directors who run the School Soccer Playoff have gotten forward of themselves. They may come collectively in a repeatedly scheduled assembly Wednesday in Dallas to debate altering the CFP not figuring out what number of conferences there might be or who might be in them.
That is only one uncertainty for a gathering that solely a few days in the past seemed vital. Now, it seems as if it may be extra kicking the can down the street in regard to creating momentous choices.
“I believe we’re in all probability going to speak about it, however I do not assume it’s going to be close to sufficient settled in order that we are able to start to even mannequin,” stated one of many commissioners who might be in attendance.
At situation for the CFP is construction, format and income distribution — for starters — in gentle of radical realignment that’s not but over. The ACC’s enlargement consideration of California, Stanford and SMU will final not less than yet another day after a gathering of league presidents was canceled Monday.
Then you’ve got the truth that the destiny of Oregon State and Washington State shouldn’t be going to be determined till not less than subsequent week. Their determination may affect the longer term composition of not less than two conferences, the Mountain West and American, which appear to be competitors for what would be the final two Pac-12 colleges.
If this complicated course of sounds lots like how the CFP arrived at a 12-team bracket to start with, you’ll be proper. Keep in mind, discussions about increasing the sector started in 2019. It took till final September to finalize particulars.
What we all know for now: Starting in 2024, for a span of not less than two seasons, the sector might be expanded to 12 groups. That is largely it. Starting in 2026 with a brand new media rights deal in place, a number of sources inform CBS Sports activities “every thing” is on the desk when it comes to the CFP’s construction.
The unique plan was to populate the sector with the six highest-ranked convention champions and 6 at-large groups. Nonetheless, with the Pac-12 dissolving in a technique or one other, that computerized qualifier quantity will have to be addressed.
“The handwriting is on the wall,” one commissioner advised CBS Sports activities.” There’s not going to be a Pac-12 left.”
Not less than one present Group of 5 convention is believed to be in favor of the 6-6 mannequin transferring to 5-7 with 5 convention champions mechanically qualifying. The Huge Ten and SEC are actually aiming to have as many at-large groups within the area as doable.
The 2 leagues have separated themselves from the remainder of school soccer as financial behemoths. Will this be the assembly the place these leagues train their superior may relating to a big-picture situation? SEC commissioner Greg Sankey is on file as saying a number of instances he may dwell with an all-at massive area of 12 groups.
The implications of which have develop into apparent.
The SEC and Huge Ten, as they are going to be comprised in 2024, would have mixed to common 7.3 groups yearly in a 12-team area (61%) if one had been in place because the begin of the playoff. Meaning a mean of 4.7 playoff spots remaining for the opposite 99 FBS colleges.
What indicators are there that the commissioners can transfer quick sufficient this time? Largely, there are not any.
- Commissioners aren’t able to debate income distribution. Negotiations for that new CFP contract (starting in 2026) in all probability will not start for one more 6-8 months, sources inform CBS Sports activities.
- Solely after that may income distribution be mentioned. Within the present mannequin, the Energy 5 conferences every get $80 million yearly as a flat participation payment. You should not must be advised there is no such thing as a longer a Energy 5 with the dissolution of the Pac-12. Nor ought to it’s a must to be advised the Huge Ten and SEC will probably search a bigger piece of the pie for themselves.
- Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh added a doable complication on Monday. He advocated for revenue sharing with players.
- Early estimates have put the worth of the brand new CFP deal upwards of $2 billion. That will make it by far the largest school media rights deal in historical past. Harbaugh’s feedback not less than add strain onto the CFP and/or conferences to determine a technique to share a few of that bounty with gamers.
- Including to the uncertainty, Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff might be on the assembly. It is unsure what position he’ll play or what voting rights he carries. There may be already a sophisticated course of as to who owns what and the place current income goes because the Pac-12 breaks aside.
“There are such a lot of questions that must be answered contained in the group,” a commissioner stated of the CFP.
Simply do not count on a lot closure Wednesday.
