24-team College Football Playoff expansion is now a great thing to Paul Finebaum, who does a face turn
A confirmed expansion changes his view
Finebaum previously criticized the proposed 24-team College Football Playoff as “utterly ridiculous.” After the expansion was confirmed, he began speaking in favor of the change on ESPN. ESPN and the College Football Playoff announced Monday a five-year, $1.7 billion agreement to expand the tournament to 24 teams starting next season. Finebaum, ESPN’s lead college football analyst, said the format could bring late-November debates over home-field advantage and wild-card games.
Finebaum explains the reversal
Speaking on the Awful Announcing Podcast last month, Finebaum said he changed his stance when he understood the expansion was settled. He said he decided to work out how the format could succeed rather than continue opposing it.
Finebaum described himself as a traditionalist, but said he liked the direction college football was taking. He compared the sport’s new approach to the NFL model and called the change a positive one.
He denies network pressure
Finebaum said he is aware of claims that ESPN wants its employees to promote the expanded playoff because the network is paying $1.7 billion. He rejected that suggestion, saying no one tells him what to say.
He also said the ideal playoff field would probably be two teams. With expansion confirmed, however, Finebaum chose to recognize possible benefits rather than continue arguing for a smaller field.
Key points
- The playoff will expand to 24 teams next season under a five-year, $1.7 billion deal.
- Finebaum once called the proposed expansion “utterly ridiculous” but now says he likes it.
- He said he changed his position after the expansion became inevitable.
- Finebaum said two teams would probably be the ideal playoff size.