INDIANAPOLIS — The discussions surrounding the potential participants in college football’s inaugural 12-team playoff aren’t simply about pride or bragging rights; they have significant financial implications as well. At stake is over $115 million that will be distributed among various conferences based on the performance of their teams throughout the season.
As detailed on the College Football Playoff’s official platform, each of the 12 teams that secures a playoff spot will generate $4 million for their respective conferences. This sum increases as teams advance further—another $4 million is awarded for reaching the quarterfinals, followed by $6 million for semifinal appearances, and an additional $6 million for the finalists.
The bulk of this financial windfall comes from ESPN, which is set to pay a staggering $1.3 billion annually for the broadcasting rights of the new playoff format. Although a significant portion of these funds has been allocated—favoring conferences such as the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference over others like the Big 12 or Atlantic Coast—there is still considerable money to be fought for in the 11 games that are scheduled from the opening round on December 20 to the championship game on January 20. Overall, the teams that reach the finals stand to bring $20 million to their conferences, each of which has its own strategy for distributing these funds among members. For example, the Big Ten reported almost $880 million in revenue for the fiscal year 2022-23, with around $60.5 million going to most member institutions.
This immense financial pressure may partly explain the fervent lobbying from various factions within the football community as anticipation builds for the final rankings that will determine the playoff bracket. Recently, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark expressed frustration with the selection committee, which currently has no teams from his conference ranked higher than 15.
This situation positions the Big 12 as a likely one-bid league, potentially leading to their champion—either Arizona State or Iowa State—being ranked lower than other conference champions vying for automated playoff berths. Only the top four conference champions receive byes, a distinction that could deprive the Big 12 of a quarterfinal slot, equating to a loss of $4 million. Yormark criticized the committee’s focus, stating, “The committee continues to show time and time again that they are paying attention to logos versus resumes,” while highlighting the disparity between rankings of teams with two losses in his conference compared to those with three losses in the SEC.
Similarly, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is also navigating a one-bid scenario, with only No. 8 SMU currently projected to make the bracket. A recent defeat by Miami has largely diminished their chances of playoff inclusion, prompting ACC commissioner Jim Phillips to voice his “incredibly shocked and disappointed” reaction. He added, “As we look ahead to the final rankings, we hope the committee will reconsider and put a deserving Miami in the field.”
This competitive climate spills onto campuses and permeates social media. One notable exchange took place between the athletic directors of Iowa State and SMU, who engaged in a spirited debate regarding which team had a stronger case for inclusion in the playoffs.
There are also a few fixed amounts related to playoff participation that remain unaffected by the selection committee’s decisions, including a $3 million allocation to conferences that qualify for the playoff. Additionally, in line with the overarching educational mission, conferences receive $300,000 for each football program that meets academic standards for postseason action—a requirement that, essentially, applies to all participating teams.
