Tony Petitti reiterates Big Ten desire for '27 24-team CFP - ESPN

CHICAGO — Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti on Tuesday doubled down on his league's push for a 24-team College Football Playoff, saying the Big Ten can still eliminate its conference championship game in time for a new format to begin in 2027.

«The faster it goes,» he told ESPN, «the easier it will be.

»There's some things you have to unwind, there's no doubt about that," he said about the Big Ten's television contract with Fox to broadcast its title game. «I think we're committed to doing that.»

If the CFP format is going to expand in time for the 2027 season, the SEC and Big Ten need to agree on it because they have the bulk of control over the future format. Still, the Big 12, ACC and Notre Dame have all expressed support for a 24-team field, while the SEC remains partial to a 16-team format until more information is provided to make an informed decision.

CFP leaders are expected to get more answers at a meeting in August, but sources remain skeptical a decision would be made then. There is another annual meeting in September at the Big Ten headquarters, which could provide some more clarity on the direction they are headed. Petitti said «it's not a great thing to be talking about during the season.»

«I think we've got another 30 days or so before the season starts to see how much progress we make, if any,» he said.

One of the biggest questions looming is how much revenue could be generated from a 24-team field and if it would compensate for the lucrative revenue from Power 4 conference championship games.

«If we find the value, I think it just changes the tone of the conversations,» Petitti said. «It's been completely collaborative. And even though the [memorandum of understanding] gives the SEC and the Big Ten more