SEC–Big Ten Standoff Sets Stage for Miami Talks on 16- vs. 24-Team Playoff

With a Jan. 23 ESPN deadline looming, decisive talks in Miami will hinge on Greg Sankey’s 16-team push versus Tony Petitti’s 24-team vision.

Overview

Conference leaders are set to meet in Miami the day before the title game to discuss further College Football Playoff expansion beyond the current 12-team format.
An ESPN deadline extension gives SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti outsized authority to shape the next model.
The SEC-backed plan calls for a 16-team field with five automatic qualifiers—four Power Four champions plus the highest-ranked Group of Six champion—and 11 at-large bids, a format supported by ACC and Big 12 leaders.
The Big Ten is pressing for a 24-team playoff with one automatic bid for the highest-ranked Group of Six champion and 23 at-large spots, and has floated a phased approach that uses the SEC’s 16-team model for three years before moving to 24.
Revenue potential from ESPN and sublicensing partners is a key driver of the push for a larger field, while multiple reports suggest the playoff could stay at 12 next season if no agreement is reached by Jan. 23.