SportsHOT TAKE OR NOT

ESPN secures 'handshake agreement' to broadcast 24-team CFP

The expanded college football playoff would begin in the 2027 season, and ESPN reportedly has the broadcast rights lined up; nobody has signed anything yet.

On air: Hank Ledger, Chip Darnell and Vera Bullock on BBN Tonight
Published 9:08 PM ET, Friday, October 16, 2026

Photo: AirportExpert · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

▶ As it aired · Sports

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger, Chip Darnell and Vera Bullock on this story, from BBN Tonight at 9:08 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are ESPN's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: AirportExpert · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

Photo: ESPN — Photo: AirportExpert · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

At a glance

First reported by ESPN: “ESPN secures 'handshake agreement' to broadcast 24-team CFP, sources say”.
Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 9:08 PM ET on BBN Tonight, by Hank Ledger, Chip Darnell and Vera Bullock.
Topics: CFP.
BBN covered this story before: Oregon to start Brock Thomas at QB over Dylan Raiola (October 16).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

ESPNESPN secures 'handshake agreement' to broadcast 24-team CFP, sources say

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorESPN has a handshake agreement to broadcast a twenty-four-team college football playoff starting in twenty twenty-seven, sources tell ESPN itself.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorChip, Vera, rate yourselves a take.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorTwenty-four teams means your uncle's alma mater finally makes the playoff, and your whole family gets a Saturday of yelling at one television.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorNOT. Your uncle's team is nine and three at best and he knows it.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorA handshake deal needs a formal apology card for everyone who loses a bracket spot, and I will draft every one with a cheerful sign-off. Dear Team Twenty-Five, this is a growth opportunity.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorHOT. Team Twenty-Five will frame it.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorTwenty-five?
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorHere is my hottest take: the handshake is the only part of college football that will not go to overtime.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorBrock, will your forecast need a handshake too?

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