ESPN can sublicense up to six expanded CFP games to a single broadcaster
Under the terms of its new College Football Playoff agreement, ESPN is permitted to sublicense up to six of the 12 additional games created by the expansion from a 12-team to a 24-team format, according to a report by Ross Dellenger in On3. Those six games would come from the new first round and second round, and ESPN may only offer them to one broadcaster rather than splitting them among multiple networks. TNT Sports, which already holds a sublicense for five games under the current 12-team deal, is eligible to absorb some or all of the new inventory. Dellenger characterizes the additional games as not particularly glamorous, noting a realistic chance they conflict with NFL scheduling, and says there is a decent chance ESPN will look to exercise its sublicensing rights.
ESPN will have the right to sublicense up to six of the additional 12 games created from the expanded format to another broadcaster.
Why it matters
For brands: Sponsors and advertisers planning CFP campaigns need to know which broadcaster ultimately carries each round to plan buys effectively.
For media: The sublicensing structure determines which networks or streamers can carry expanded CFP games, affecting rights competition and potential audience reach for those outlets.
Read the full story at Awful Announcing
Sources
- Awful Announcing · Drew Lerner: ESPN can sublicense half of expanded CFP games to new broadcaster