The CW network is reportedly in discussions to license College Football Playoff games from ESPN, according to a report from Awful Announcing. The potential agreement would mark a significant expansion of The CW's sports programming portfolio, which has recently included ACC football and basketball broadcasts.
Details regarding the specific games, financial terms, or timeline for any potential deal were not disclosed in the initial report. ESPN currently holds the media rights to the College Football Playoff through the 2025 season, with the expanded 12-team format set to debut in the 2024-25 season.
The CW, owned by Nexstar Media Group, has been actively pursuing live sports rights to bolster its broadcast offerings. The network secured a multi-year deal with the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2023, bringing ACC football and basketball games to broadcast television.
Any agreement between The CW and ESPN would likely involve sublicensing arrangements, as ESPN seeks to maximize distribution of the expanded playoff format across multiple platforms.
