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‘There remain some issues’: Bob Bowlsby comments on stalled CFP expansion talks
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As another college football season draws to a close, Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby continues to send out warning signals about the prospect of expanding the College Football Playoff.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Bowlsby expressed reservations about the CFP management committee’s—on which he serves—ability to come to a resolution on expansion in time for a new format to go into effect in 2024. The initial 12-year deal for the CFP runs through 2025.
“There remain some issues,” he said. “We have legitimate differences of opinion.”
Namely, the hold-up centers around the number of automatic bids that would/could/should be set aside for the current power conference champions. This season featured the first time in the CFP era that 3 of the 5 power conferences had a 2-loss champion. The number of automatic qualifiers (AQs) would impact field size and a host of other issues.
Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren said last week he is a “big believer” in automatic bids for the P5 champions. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey is outwardly opposed to the idea.
Here’s what Bowlsby had to say:
#Big12 commish Bob Bowlsby on #CFBPlayoff expansion talks: "There are some legitimate disagreements around format and bowl contracts. They're not illegitimate issues and yet at some point in time you have to get through them."
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) December 8, 2021
Bowlsby suggests, again, that CFP expansion is unlikely to happen at what was originally the earliest possible year (2024). As has been reported for months now, there isn't necessarily a drop-dead date, but they really need to decide by the end of January.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 8, 2021
Bowlsby: "We haven't had conversations with our television partners (about pricing expanded CFP). "
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) December 8, 2021
#Big12 commish Bob Bowlsby on idea of a Power 5 champ AQ, plus highest-ranked Group of 5 champ in #CFBPlayoff: "I have every bit of reason to want that AQ as anybody out there (with Texas and OU leaving), but I don't think it's the best reason."
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) December 8, 2021
Bob Bowlsby says he initially was "not a big fan of 12" when it first came up in the subcommittee, but grew to see how it helps the sport the most. Will be good for regular-season TV, regular-season attendance. A lot of teams will have a chance deeper into the season.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 8, 2021
Bob Bowlsby adds that the deadline to have expansion by the 2024 season might already have passed. Still seems like a chance for the 2025 season — final one of the initial CFP contract.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 8, 2021
Bowlsby: "At 8, or any number smaller than 8, a two-loss team may fall out (of the CFP)."
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) December 8, 2021
Bowlsby: "There is no contract bind us beyond 2025. You can create from whole cloth. In the end, I don't think we'll do that. I do think we'll get bigger."
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) December 8, 2021
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.