Fox Sports CEO Supports Expansion to 24-Team College Football Playoff

Fox Sports chief executive Eric Shanks publicly advocated for a much larger postseason field in college football. He made his case during an onstage interview with Colin Cowherd at a Filmogaz.com conference.

Shanks’ argument for a bigger field

Shanks argued that a 24-team College Football Playoff would improve regular-season scheduling. He said teams would take bigger non-conference risks without fear of instant disqualification.

He suggested early-season matchups in September would become more attractive. Late-season contests would grow in importance too, he added.

Broadcast implications

Current television terms give ESPN exclusive rights to the entire playoff under a 14-team setup. ESPN has since sublicensed a portion of games to TNT Sports.

Shanks noted expansion beyond 14 teams would open additional playoff inventory to bids. That change would allow Fox and other networks to pursue CFP rights on the open market.

Fox and conference ties

Fox holds a controlling stake in the Big Ten Network. The company also manages significant Big Ten media rights.

Those relationships align Fox’s interests with possible playoff expansion. Big Ten leaders have signaled support for major changes.

Big Ten proposal and formats under discussion

In February, the Big Ten shared an internal outline of one possible 24-team model with its members. That plan favored 23 at-large selections and one Group-of-6 spot.

The document proposed no automatic conference qualifiers. League officials say the plan is only one of several formats being discussed.

Scheduling and logistical challenges

A 24-team field would require major calendar adjustments. Some league executives are already discussing a shift to a “Week 0” season start by 2027.

Expanding the playoff could also threaten the future of conference championship games. The 12-team format remains locked in for 2026.

Timeline and stakeholders

With 2026 settled, deliberations focus on 2027 and beyond. Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks supports expansion to a 24-team field, sources say.

Fox and the Big Ten are actively pushing for a larger playoff. Other stakeholders remain cautious or opposed.

What to watch next

Key items include final format decisions, TV-rights negotiations, and schedule changes. Each will affect broadcasters, conferences, and schools.

Expect continued debate as organizers weigh competitive balance, revenue, and logistics.