The Mountain West Conference says the future of its football championship game is uncertain beyond this season after the College Football Playoff announced Monday it will expand to a 24-team field starting next year. The new format eliminates conference championship games in the Power Four conferences — the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC — and the Mountain West is still determining the potential impacts on its own title game, bowl agreements and scheduling.
In a statement, the conference said it has been actively engaged in discussions regarding the future structure of the playoff and will continue analyzing the development with member institutions and stakeholders. That review includes consideration of impacts on student-athletes, scheduling, the bowl ecosystem and the annual Mountain West Football Championship Game.
The expansion also affects Las Vegas directly. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority had been asked to bid on hosting a future Big Ten championship game, an event now off the table. Additionally, ESPN — which signed a new five-year, $1.7 billion broadcasting rights deal with the CFP — has not yet decided the fate of the bowl games it owns and operates, including the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium.
ESPN senior vice president Nick Dawson said no decisions have been made on the bowl ecosystem, noting the network was waiting for the CFP process to conclude before assessing what the rest of the postseason can look like. He said there remains a need for additional postseason opportunities and good television windows.
This year's playoff remains at 12 teams, with the national championship game set for Jan. 25 at Allegiant Stadium — the final title game before the expanded format takes effect.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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