We might live in divided times, but opposition to another round of College Football Playoff expansion found widespread agreement as the powers that be considered moving from 12 teams to 24.
CFP executive director Rich Clark heard those opinions, he admitted Monday after playoff expansion was finalized, but his response is drawing heavy criticism.
Here’s a look at why Clark’s comments are facing backlash from disgruntled college football fans.
MORE: How a 24-team College Football Playoff will work
CFB committee ripped for ‘considering’ but ignoring fans’ expansion opinions
The College Football Playoff announced Monday that it agreed to a media rights deal that allows the field to double from 12 teams to 24 starting with the 2027 season, despite widespread fan opposition to expansion.
In addressing that opposition while speaking with reporters, Clark created even more frustration.
“We’re aware of the fan sentiment and that many fans aren’t in favor of expansion. That was certainly weighed into the decision. It was considered,” Clark said. “Ultimately we just need to make a spectacular Playoff.”
Clark explained that the College Football Playoff has a “responsibility” to deliver for fans, indicating that he is willing to let the 24-team format speak for itself in the years ahead.
“We owe it to them to make this great. That really is our intent,” Clark said. “We appreciate our fans. We did take into account their sentiment. That was rolled into this decision. But we decided to move forward with it.”
BENDER: The ugly side effects of a 24-team College Football Playoff
Many fans and pundits were frustrated with the comments, which acknowledge fan opposition to expansion but ultimately brush it off:
Makes sense. What the hell do a bunch of fans who live for Saturday afternoons, spend through the nose to travel to games and buy tickets and bleed their schools’ colors, matter? Ask NASCAR about alienating its core fan base and how that’s worked out for them.
— Chris Low (@Clowfb) November 9, 2026
“We are aware that everyone hates this, but we do not care”
— Mason (@MasonPlummer_) November 9, 2026
While the real power to force expansion belonged to the conference commissioners rather than Clark, fans who were already skeptical about expansion certainly weren’t inspired by his remarks on Monday.
The playoff is set to take effect in 2027, with the first two rounds being played at campus sites, conference title games fading away and the Heisman Trophy ceremony shifting one week earlier.
MORE: Projecting the College Football Playoff bracket after Week 10
