Fox Sports CEO Is Pushing For Major College Football Playoff Change

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College Football Playoff expansion feels inevitable, but does the field need to double in size?

During a recent interview with Colin Cowherd, Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks made the argument that 24 teams should compete in the CFP. He believes that would make teams more willing to schedule tough non-conference opponents.

"If you don’t get penalized for playing those big non-conference games early and there’s a bigger pool of teams that can get into a 24-team playoff, the schedule gets better in September," Shanks argued, via Awful Announcing. "And then in November, you have more meaningful games because a lot more teams are in play to be able to get in."

Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer would probably co-sign that statement. He's expressed his concerns about teams scheduling weaker opponents to ensure a spot in the CFP.

"I am really fearful we will never, or very rarely see, marquee non-conference matchups. You’re going to see the 50-7 preseason games for the first few weeks of the season," Meyer said.

What's the current state of the CFP?

The CFP will remain at 12 teams for the 2026 season, but ESPN's Heather Dinich previously reported that a 16-team field could become a reality.

"My sense, in talking to sources, is that there’s more momentum than ever to go to a 16-team field, possibly as soon as 2026, if SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti can agree to it, and right now, that stalemate still exists," Dinich said. "Those 2 men have the bulk of control over the future format, the deadline is at the end of the month in order to change it, if they are going to. And if they cannot agree, it will stay at 12 for now."

A 24-team field for the CFP might make things a bit too crowded. At the end of the day though, money talks. If an expanded field produces more revenue, then it's going to happen.

This story was originally published by The Spun on Apr 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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