Gene Smith addresses the possibility of CFP expansion prior to 2026

Gene Smith spoke about the possibility of the College Football Playoff expanding before the year 2026 in a recent interview with Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors. The Ohio State AD thinks that it is definitely possible in the coming years.

The current format for the CFP has just 4 teams, but there have been talks about expanding it to 6 teams or more in recent years. Smith also believes that the CFP will be open to multiple media partners, much like the B1G’s recent new media rights deal with NBC, CBS, and FOX.

Gene Smith told me he thinks it’s possible the College Football Playoff could expand before 2026. He said there’s “no question” the CFP will be opened up to multiple media partners even if it expands before then and that “everyone” is committed to opening it up to new partners.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 18, 2022

Smith also stated that everyone is committed to opening up the competition with new media partners. The year 2026 is important because that’s when the current media rights with ESPN for the CFP expires. The final game of the current deal will be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

We could see a CFP media rights deal similar to that of the B1G’s in the near future if what Smith believes will happen comes true.