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The six bowls participating in the new College Football Playoff have “yet to sign contracts with the organization” three months before kickoff, according to Dennis Dodd of CBSSPORTS.com. CFP Exec Dir Bill Hancock over the weekend confirmed that the bowls are “still in various degrees of negotiation over several subjects in what is described as an approximately 200-page document.” A source said, "For Bill and company right now, it's got to be a little bit distracting not to have it all wrapped up. They've got a lot on their plate." Dodd noted those involved “believe the deals will get done but it is a concern that the playoff is sort of suspended in mid-air at the moment.” Sources contend that there is “much discussion and negotiation between the bowls and CFP in certain areas” because some of these bowls have “decades-long traditions that extend beyond the playing field.” Sources said that ticket prices have become a “significant discussion point” and the “so-called ‘contract’ bowls -- Sugar, Orange, Rose -- don't have a memorandum of understanding at this point.” Meanwhile, the “so-called ‘host’ bowls -- those without conference ties -- have only six-year deals with the CFP.” Part of the ongoing negotiation is an “additional six-year option.” A possible three-year "look-in" for the CFP during the first six years is “also being discussed.” A source said that a “re-opening of the deal” would be used to “evaluate the business model of those three bowls.” A source also said that the six-year deal for the host bowls “shouldn't be construed” as a chance for the CFP to “go to eight teams in mid-stream” (
CBSSPORTS.com, 5/27).
EYE SITE? Hancock when asked if Orlando’s Citrus Bowl would be considered as a future site for CFP National Championship games said, "We're looking forward to stadium reconstruction being finished. I hear the stadium is going to be beautiful and it was much-needed.” Hancock added that Orlando should "stay tuned and 'hang tight.'” In Orlando, Mike Bianchi writes this “should not even be a discussion or debate.” Once the Citrus Bowl reconstruction is complete next season, Orlando “should have a permanent spot in the championship rotation.” Bianchi: “I challenge anybody to tell me why Orlando isn't a better spot for college football's
Super Bowl than Dallas, Phoenix and Tampa -- the cities already chosen to host the first three college championship games.” Orlando “is a college football town” and every other area that wants to host the CFP championship “are all NFL-centric”
(ORLANDO SENTINEL, 5/28).SETTING THE STANDARD: SEC Commissioner Mike Slive said of the new four-team CFP format, “We’re excited about the playoff. The playoff has brought back the excitement of New Year’s Day but now it’s going to be 48 hours long because there will be playoff games on Dec. 31. We have a guaranteed SEC-Big 12 matchup in the Sugar Bowl which will be in prime time every year after the Rose Bowl. There are a lot of things about the playoff that excite us.” Slive said of the CFP selection committee format to determine the four teams, “The best way to put it is I’m pleased that the standard (for making the playoffs) is the four-best teams. The idea is to get the four best teams based on a 12-game strength of schedule and without conditions. That is what the fans want” (SECDIGITALNETWORK.com, 5/27).
