More Playoff Expansion Hiccups

Sport & Story Daily August 19, 2025: The Big Ten's controversial idea to expand the College Football Playoff from 12 to 28 teams is off to a rocky start.

August 19, 2025

The Big Ten's controversial idea to expand the College Football Playoff from 12 to 28 teams is off to a rocky start

August 19, 2025

Big Ten's Radical Idea for College Football Playoff Expansion Frustrates Execs, Piques Interest From ADs
CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello writes, “The Big Ten's radical idea to expand the College Football Playoff from 12 to 28 teams is already off to a rocky start, according to industry sources who spoke to CBS Sports on the condition of anonymity.

“News of the Big Ten's internal socialization of an early blueprint to expand the College Football Playoff came to light on Saturday before many of the commissioners in the other nine FBS conferences were informed personally by Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti.

“Petitti floated 24- and 28-team playoff models with Big Ten athletic directors last week, sources told CBS Sports. The SEC was informed later, but other conferences were left out until the leak surfaced. Administrators had been focused on 16-team formats in recent negotiations, making the Big Ten's larger proposals a surprise.”
CBS Sports

Getty Images

NASCAR Confirms O’Reilly Series Title Sponsor Deal
SBJ’s Adam Stern reports: “NASCAR this morning will name O’Reilly Auto Parts as the fourth title sponsor in the history of its second-tier national series, with a switch to an endemic car industry company meant to be part of NASCAR’s quest to return to its roots. What is currently called the NASCAR Xfinity Series will become the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Jan. 1 next year, ending the 11-year reign of Comcast’s Xfinity internet brand, which remains a premier partner of the top tier of the sport.”
Sports Business Journal

Hoffmann Family in Mix to Buy Penguins From Fenway Sports Group
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports: “The Chicago-based Hoffmann family, owners of the ECHL’s Florida Everblades, has emerged as a serious contender to purchase the NHL team from Fenway Sports Group. David Hoffmann, founder and chairman of the Hoffmann Family of Companies, bought the Everblades from former Carolina Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos in 2019. He told the Naples Daily News at the time that he’d looked into buying both NHL and NBA teams.”
Sportsnet

USAA Inks Long-Term Extension of NFL Sponsorship
USAA has renewed its longstanding NFL sponsorship, which the company termed a “significant long-term” extension. USAA, which markets insurance and other financial services to veterans, military members, and their families, has been an NFL corporate patron since 2011, when it became the league’s first “military appreciation” sponsor.
Sports Business Journal

Rich Eisen 'SportsCenter' Return: Long-time ESPN Host to Anchor Program for First Time in Over 20 Years
Yahoo Sports’ Chris Cwik writes, “Rich Eisen is returning to host ‘SportsCenter’ for the first time in over 20 years Monday. He'll serve as an anchor for the program, and be joined by NFL analyst Mina Kimes in studio. It will mark the first time since 2003 that Eisen has appeared on the program. He rose to prominence with ESPN between 1996 and 2003, but left the network to join NFL Network when it launched in 2003. Eisen spent the last 20+ years with NFL Network, serving in a variety of roles at the network.”
Yahoo! Sports

MLB Plans to Announce TV Deal in Coming Weeks
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the league plans to have an answer shortly about who will receive the national TV package beginning in 2026 that ESPN currently holds. Manfred said during last night’s broadcast of the Little League Classic, “We’re having very detailed conversations with a number of parties, including ESPN. We hope to have it resolved in the next couple of weeks.
Sports Business Journal

Getty Images

Sharks Set to Remain in San Jose Through 2051
Sharks Sports & Entertainment has reached an agreement with the city of San Jose that “promises to keep the NHL franchise in the city until 2051.” The agreement -- scheduled for City Council approval later this month -- “would commit the city to providing” $325M of the overall $425M investment in upgrades to SAP Center and “impose stiff penalties on the Sharks should they leave the city.”
San Jose Mercury News via Sports Business Journal

Sources: Longtime Peach Bowl Boss Stokan Retiring at End of Football Season
Gary Stokan, the longtime CEO & president of Peach Bowl, Inc., is set to retire at the end of the 2025-26 season, sources tell Sports Business Journal. David Epps, the organization’s COO & SVP/Marketing, will succeed Stokan beginning June 1, 2026. Epps currently oversees operations, marketing and branding, among other efforts, and has been with the organization for more than 30 years. An official announcement of the changes is expected this week.
Sports Business Journal

United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Vice President, Games Hospitality
The Vice President, Games Hospitality leads the strategic vision and execution of all donor Games Hospitality experiences for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation (USOPF), with a focus on delivering immersive, mission-driven programming during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. As the senior-most leader in this space, the VP ensures that every element—from program design to on-site execution—reflects the excellence and prestige of Team USA. In close partnership with the Director of Hospitality Logistics, the VP oversees the planning and delivery of intricate, high-touch programs that drive donor engagement and long-term support. Apply Now.

Los Angeles Sparks. Director of Integrated Marketing
The 3-time WNBA Champions Los Angeles Sparks are growing! The organization is seeking a Vice President of Human Resources, who will be responsible for leading the implementation of initiatives that attract, develop, and retain top talent for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women’s National Basketball Association. They are looking for a leader who will take ownership of human resources processes, policies and practices that drive accuracy, efficiency and compliance. This Indvidual is a collaborative, accountable leader who thrives in a dynamic environment. This position will work under the direction of the teams’ President. Apply Now.

Playfly Sports. Director/Senior Director, Sales, Paragon Properties
The Director/Senior Director, Sales, Paragon Properties will be a strategic and results-driven sales leader, focusing on driving partnerships across a portfolio of elite high school content and events, produced by Paragon Marketing Group. This position will be an outbound sales role, focused on client-direct sales efforts to secure multi-year sponsorships, tapping into local, regional and national budgets, while working collaboratively with key stakeholders across all of Playfly’s business units. The Director/Senior Director will play an integral role in devising and executing a revenue growth strategy, leveraging deep industry knowledge, a strong network, and consultative sales techniques. Apply Now.

Major League Baseball (MLB). Director, Content & Marketing Analytics
MLB is hiring a Director, Content & Marketing Analytics to help ensure its efforts to reach, retain, and grow baseball’s fanbase are successful. The role will provide analyses and strategic insight into MLB’s Content and Marketing efforts to inform, engage, and monetize its audiences. This position will lead both Content and Marketing analytics teams and focus on leveraging data to improve marketing and content performance for Major League Baseball and its Clubs. The ideal candidate will be an experienced analytical and technical leader with deep understanding of both creative/content distribution and marketing attribution. They will thrive in a fast-paced, proactive, and collaborative environment. Apply Now.

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AP Photo/Darryl Webb, File

No. 11 Arizona State Aiming to Maintain Momentum Following Rise to CFP a Year Ago
AP News’ John Marshall writes, “Arizona State had one of college football’s biggest turnarounds last season, reaching the College Football Playoff after being picked to finish last in its first season in the Big 12. The Sun Devils’ goal this season is prove they’re no one-hit wonders, to build upon one of the best seasons in program history instead of taking a step back.”
AP News

No. 1 Texas, No. 2 Penn St Each Place 3 Players on Associated Press Preseason All-America First Team
AP News’ Eric Olson reports: “Texas and Penn State, the top two teams in The Associated Press preseason Top 25, each had three players selected for the preseason AP All-America team announced Monday.

“The Southeastern Conference had 12 players on the 27-man first team determined by media members on the AP Top 25 voting panel. The Big Ten had seven players, the ACC four and the Big 12 two.”
AP News

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