College football is poised for a significant transformation, and the debate surrounding its future has reached a fever pitch. Yesterday, Congressman Brendan Boyle, a Philadelphia Democrat and Notre Dame graduate, publicly criticized the Big Ten and SEC conferences for their proposed changes to the College Football Playoff (CFP) structure.
In his recent post on X, he accused the two powerhouse conferences of being “hellbent on ruining major college football” and suggested that their actions might warrant congressional hearings to investigate potential collusion. This bold statement has drawn attention to the growing divide between the sport’s most powerful conferences and the rest of college football.
The controversy centers on the Big Ten and SEC’s push for a new playoff format that critics argue prioritizes financial gain over competitive fairness. With billions of dollars at stake and the potential to reshape college football for generations, the decisions now carry immense weight.
What Drives the Big Ten and SEC Controversy?
The Big Ten and SEC have long been college football’s heavyweights, dominating both the field and revenue generation. In 2023, the SEC reported $853 million in revenue, a $50 million increase from the previous year, according to Sportico’s analysis of tax filings. However, in fiscal year 2024, the SEC’s revenue dropped to $840 million, a decrease of $13 million from 2023, as reported by Sportico earlier this year.
This decline was attributed to the SEC not receiving Sugar Bowl money in FY24 as part of its arrangement with the College Football Playoff, despite the conference distributing $808.4 million to its 16 member schools.
The Big Ten follows closely, bolstered by lucrative media rights deals and some of the country’s most well-funded programs. These two conferences have consistently produced national champions, with the SEC winning 12 of the last 16 titles before the 2024 season. They also account for a significant share of NFL Draft picks each year.
However, their latest moves have raised concerns. Earlier this year, the Big Ten and SEC formed a joint advisory group to tackle what they described as pressing challenges in college athletics, including antitrust lawsuits and the evolving landscape of name, image, and likeness (NIL) policies. Many viewed this collaboration as a strategic effort to consolidate power, and their subsequent proposals for the CFP have only deepened those suspicions.
A report from The Athletic yesterday revealed that the two conferences are advocating for a 16-team playoff format starting in 2026, known as the “4-4-2-2-1” model. This structure would guarantee four automatic bids for each Big Ten and SEC, two for the Big 12 and ACC, and just one spot for the highest-ranked Group of Five team.
Let me state this as clearly as I can: the @bigten and @sec should be very, very careful about some of the decisions they are about to make. Because they appear hellbent on ruining major college football. I think they need congressional hearings into their collusion.
— Congressman Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) May 26, 2025
Financial Disparities Fuel the Playoff Debate Concerns
The proposed playoff model comes at a time when financial inequities in college football are already stark. Under the current CFP revenue distribution, the Big Ten and SEC hold a significant advantage.
Sportico reported on March 15, 2024, that each Big Ten and SEC program receives approximately $21 million annually from the CFP, while ACC schools get $13 million and Big 12 schools receive $12 million. This gap, which amounts to a 50% difference between the top two conferences and their closest competitors, underscores the financial clout of the Big Ten and SEC.
The “4-4-2-2-1” model would likely exacerbate these disparities. By securing four automatic bids each, the Big Ten and SEC would ensure a larger share of playoff revenue, which is tied to participation.
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The CFP’s $7.8 billion television deal with ESPN, finalized in 2024, is a major driver of this revenue, but The Athletic noted that ESPN has no plans to increase payouts for additional games if the playoff expands to 16 teams. This means the existing revenue pool would be stretched thinner for conferences outside the Big Ten and SEC, further widening the financial divide.
These financial dynamics are a key reason why Boyle and others are sounding the alarm. Smaller conferences and schools, particularly those in the Group of Five, rely on CFP revenue to fund their programs and remain competitive. Reducing their access to the playoffs could have a ripple effect, limiting their ability to invest in facilities, coaching, and player development.
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