playGreg Sankey on CFP expansion: The move to 16 is 'the right next step' (1:21)SEC commissioner Greg Sankey tells Rich Eisen his thoughts about expanding the College Football Playoff from 12 teams to 16. (1:21)Heather DinichJan 11, 2026, 06:45 PM ETEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThere is strong support for a 16-team College Football Playoff format to begin as soon as 2026 if Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey can reach a specific compromise, multiple sources with knowledge of the discussions have told ESPN in the days leading up to one of the most significant meetings for the sport's postseason. There's still a stalemate, though, between the two powerbrokers, which means that even with a majority in favor of the change, the playoff could remain at 12 next season. In November, the deadline for completing the format and related structural decisions moved from Dec. 1 to Jan.
