Conference Realignment Wire

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[Conference Realignment Wire @RealignmentWire]

*Big realignment news drops out West*

College football fans in the Eastern Time Zone:

[Ross Dellenger @RossDellenger]

Big Ten presidents and chancellors will meet Wednesday to review and possibly adopt conference cap rules that align with the framework of the Protect College Sports Act, sources tell @YahooSports - a first step in preparing schools for the bill’s passage.

[Conference Realignment Wire @RealignmentWire]

Bowlmaxxing:

[Brandon Marcello @bmarcello]

"The bowl system is not going anywhere."

Inside the bowl game scramble as executives await the 10 FBS conferences’ plans for the 2027 season.

Story for @CBSSports: https://t.co/J19WPMpQ3q

[Conference Realignment Wire @RealignmentWire]

In 2025, 33 P4 teams qualified for non-CFP bowls. In a 24-team CFP, that number would be 21-22. Still enough to fill the legacy P4 bowls but a much thinner field. Alamo, Gator, Citrus Bowls etc. could exist but with a diminished quality of teams

[Brett McMurphy @Brett_McMurphy]

A bowl executive told @On3 the bowl would rather fold than abandon decades of tradition as a power conference game by becoming a G6 vs. G6 matchup in 2027. They may get their wish

[Sickos Committee @SickosCommittee]

So we're having TWO bowl games in Puerto Rico.

[Brett McMurphy @Brett_McMurphy]

A bowl executive told @On3 the bowl would rather fold than abandon decades of tradition as a power conference game by becoming a G6 vs. G6 matchup in 2027. They may get their wish

[Brett McMurphy @Brett_McMurphy]

👀 We're up to 42 bowls this season - 1 more than last year - w/addition of San Juan Bowl (Dec. 16) b/w ACC & Sun Belt. That's 84 teams needed to fill all the bowls, including 2 in Puerto Rico: San Juan Bowl & Puerto Rico Bowl (Dec. 22, MAC vs. G6)

[Ross Dellenger @RossDellenger]

Some news in here: As part of the expansion agreement with ESPN, the CFP cannot expand beyond 24 teams through the current six-year contract.

The earliest any new expansion can happen is 2032, sources says 👇

[Ross Dellenger @RossDellenger]

In the "second tier" of college sports' caste system, Miami is positioning itself for a conference move while exploring football independence and fighting against a federal bill.

"If we have to go independent," the president says, "I like our chances."

https://t.co/AGBdulm1OU

[Pete Thamel @PeteThamel]

Sources: Le Moyne College is on the cusp of joining The Metro Conference in all sports starting in 2027-28. The sides are deep in discussions with The Metro (formerly the MAAC), and a deal is expected to come together in the near future. Le Moyne is leaving the NEC.

[Ross Dellenger @RossDellenger]

Clarification to this story: The ~$125M conferences gained from ESPN for CFP expansion is *not* additive as it replaces lost ticket/sponsorship revenue from conference champ games. All champ game *media* value was ~$225M + $125M of ticket/sponsorship = $350M.

Little new money 👇

[Brett McMurphy @Brett_McMurphy]

Conference realignment never sleeps. More G6 moves ahead. SEC & B1G no immediate plans but if/when they do, UNC & Virginia top SEC's wish list; Big Ten would consider “usual suspects (from ACC & Notre Dame), maybe a high academic school out West or Texas school for geographic/recruiting upside," sources told @On3
https://t.co/9EoAEM6czu

[Pete Thamel @PeteThamel]

Sources: The College Football Playoff is nearing a deal to expand to 24 teams, per sources. The new format will start in 2027 and is expected to come together in the near future, pending final approvals.

[Ross Dellenger @RossDellenger]

Realignment news: James Madison has accepted an invitation into the American Conference, starting no later than July 1, 2028.

https://t.co/tdBl0m6bVS

[Brandon Marcello @bmarcello]

NEWS: James Madison has been accepted into the American Conference following a university application and a unanimous vote of the American CEOs. JMU will join as a full league member no later than July 1, 2028.

[Nicole Auerbach @NicoleAuerbach]

American commissioner Tim Pernetti: "The Dukes have rapidly built a nationally recognized brand through a culture of innovation, investment, bold leadership and competitive success. JMU’s trajectory aligns with who we are and where we are going."

[Pete Thamel @PeteThamel]

NEWS: James Madison has accepted membership to the American conference. https://t.co/Lm4Ex1OBo6

[Ross Dellenger @RossDellenger]

CFP leaders are closer than ever to expanding to a 24-team playoff. They are talking buyouts of conference title games and scheduling logistics of doubling the field.

Foregone conclusion?

“If we can get a decent (TV) deal, we are definitely going to 24.”
https://t.co/pm99bNu4D9

[Heather Dinich @CFBHeather]

The @American_Conf released the following statement today:

[Ross Dellenger @RossDellenger]

Statement from JMU

[Brett McMurphy @Brett_McMurphy]

Miami (Ohio) offered $30 million to $40 million, while UConn was seeking a football-only membership, sources said