A White House-connected advisory group is advocating for a major expansion of the College Football Playoff, proposing an increase from the current 12-team format to as many as 24 teams, according to individuals familiar with the discussions.

The panel, described as an informal presidential advisory committee, includes former college football officials, media figures, and political affiliates. It does not have formal authority over postseason decisions but has been engaged in broader conversations surrounding the future of college athletics, particularly as federal interest in the space has expanded.

Members of the group have discussed a larger playoff field as a way to generate additional revenue, particularly for smaller programs that have struggled to keep pace financially with major conferences. While earlier expansion talks in the sport focused on a possible move to 16 teams, some within the advisory circle are now coalescing around a 24-team model.

Sources indicate there is limited overlap between individuals involved in the advisory discussions and those connected to the playoff’s governing structure, though the group itself does not control outcomes. Final authority over any changes to the format remains with the sport’s power brokers, especially the Big Ten Conference and Southeastern Conference, which hold significant influence due to their media contracts and financial scale.

The emergence of the advisory group reflects a broader trend of increased federal attention on college sports. In recent years, policymakers have taken a greater interest in issues such as name, image, and likeness compensation and regulatory oversight, prompting some stakeholders to acknowledge that government involvement may extend beyond those areas.

Supporters of a larger playoff argue that expansion could widen access to postseason revenue and create more opportunities for programs outside the traditional power structure. Critics, however, caution that a significantly larger field could diminish the importance of regular-season matchups and potentially affect television value, which remains central to the sport’s economic model.

For now, the 12-team playoff format is expected to remain in place for the upcoming season, with any structural changes still under consideration by conference leadership and playoff officials.