The Sports Media Podcast ESPN and a 24-team CFP; What’s next for Netflix and sports; Fox’s Joe Davis previews the World Series
Oct 22, 2026
Matt Fortuna, Sports Business Journal’s college sports reporter, explores a possible 24-team College Football Playoff, roster spending, campus games, and ESPN’s bowl strategy. Joe Davis, Fox Sports’ lead MLB voice, previews a historic World Series, baseball’s rising stars, a potential shorter season, and the urgency of avoiding a labor stoppage. Netflix’s next sports move and the NBA’s presentation also get a look.
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Campus Playoff Games Could Save College Atmosphere
- On-campus playoff rounds could replace declining conference championship games with louder, more meaningful events.
- Hosting games at stadiums such as Neyland or Beaver Stadium also reduces travel and empty-seat risk.
Playoff Expansion Redirects Conference Championship Money
- Expansion redirects major media and economic value from conference championships toward playoff games.
- ESPN will pay $345 million annually, while cities such as Indianapolis lose a signature event.
Why ESPN Cannot Abandon Bowl Season
- ESPN may dilute its own bowl inventory, but holiday football remains valuable because casual viewers watch even mediocre matchups.
- The worst bowl games can still outperform most regular-season college basketball on ESPN.