Nick Saban Questions Proposed 24-Team College Football Playoff Expansion

Legendary college football coach Nick Saban has expressed reservations about the reported expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) to 24 teams, a move he believes is primarily driven by financial considerations. Saban stated on "The Pat McAfee Show" that he favors a smaller playoff field.

"I would be for 16 [teams]. I think that would be a good compromise," Saban said. He also suggested that conference championship games could serve as play-in games for a 16-team playoff, which would give 20 teams a chance at the postseason. However, he noted a lack of support for this idea.

Reports emerged suggesting the CFP is nearing a decision to expand the playoff field from 12 teams to 24 teams, potentially as early as the 2027 season. This proposed "19+4+1" format would allocate 19 at-large bids, with the champions of the four Power Four conferences and the highest-ranked team from the Group of Six conferences also receiving automatic berths. This expansion would double the playoff field size just three seasons after it grew from four to 12 teams. The reported changes are also expected to lead to the elimination of conference championship games and an earlier start to the season.

Saban articulated his view that the primary motivation behind the push for a larger playoff is financial. "The bottom line is money. That’s the bottom line," he stated. He explained that universities require additional revenue due to increased spending on players and the ongoing costs associated with maintaining non-football Olympic sports.

ESPN has reportedly secured a deal to broadcast the CFP for an estimated $345 million per year over five seasons, in addition to its existing broadcast rights averaging $1.3 billion annually. This financial incentive appears to be a significant factor in the expansion discussions.

This is not the first time Saban has voiced concerns about an expanded playoff. In July, he raised questions about the potential physical toll on players from a more extensive postseason schedule. "I do think we need to take the player into consideration, not just the financial circumstances of increasing the Playoff," Saban said at the time. "… What’s it about? Crowning a champion or trying to financially squeeze more money out of the College Football Playoff at the expense of how many games players have to play?"