The Michigan Wolverines have defeated the Washington Huskies and the concluding score after the fourth quarter was 34-13. With the win, the College Football Playoff era, comprising four teams, has come to an end.
According to Front Office Sports, executive director Bill Hancock has been managing the Playoff since its establishment in 2014. However, when the organisation of four teams commenced, the College Football Playoff entity had no staff or an office.
After 10 years, the 4-team College Football Playoff has come to an end. pic.twitter.com/H09KXu0Q8G
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) January 9, 2024
With four teams, the playoff structure was expanded and the paradigm also brought additional importance to the traditional bowl games. The executive director was certain that this would attract success, albeit not to the extent to which it has achieved current prominence.
The media contract of the giant network ESPN with the College Football Playoff stands between $400 million and $500 million annually. Subsequently, the schools attain up to $500 million per year. The games have also been attracting mammoth audiences.
The CFP entity has garnered its share of criticism due to its prevalent systems and arrangements. The community has also objected to the unjust procedure of advancing only four out of more than a hundred programs.
As per the FOS report, the criticism intensified last year when the Alabama Crimson Tide was given the fourth position by the CFP selection committee, which was composed of independent individuals. The decision halted the defending ACC champion Florida State Seminoles’ advancement.
The retaliation the CFP selection committee received was severe and rapid. Hancock also shared that the members of the committee received alarming notifications from the supporters. The lawmakers in Florida had also opposed this decision.
FSU had also further stated that this decision of the CFP selection committee was a major factor as the university decided to file a lawsuit against the ACC. Another major reason why FSU is suing the ACC is over revenue generation concerns.
However, it is unclear whether the twelve-team model would further provide a platform for other talents to come in or not. Fortunately, it will give universities and broadcast teams more chances to showcase their talents and make the most of the given opportunities.
The executive director, Hancock, shared that the four-team structure was “bigger steps.”
Further sharing that, “Getting people to come together that hadn’t come together before … that was the biggest leap of all.”
