ESPN, CFP in talks to extend TV rights agreement

The CFP and ESPN are "in the midst of negotiations to maintain the network as the sole rights holder of the event for the next eight years," according to sources. The deal "would include the final two years on the current CFP contract plus a new six-year agreement for the next iteration" of the playoff. If ESPN remains the sole rights holder, it would be "a significant change" from what CFP officials had originally wanted, as "all had been in agreement that multiple broadcast partners -- a model similar to what the NFL has -- would be best for college football." Sources indicated that ESPN is "considering paying approximately" $1.3B for the rights to the new six-year deal starting in 2026. Outgoing CFP Exec Dir Bill Hancock said the organization "is no longer in the exclusive negotiating window with ESPN" (ESPN.com, 1/8).