Trump, Nick Saban, Cody Campbell to Co-Chair College Sports Commission Amid SEC Schedule, CFP Expansion Talks

Former President Donald Trump is set to co-chair a commission on college sports alongside Nick Saban, the Alabama football coach, and Texas Tech Regent Chair Cody Campbell. The commission aims to address key issues in college athletics, including potential reforms to the NCAA and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies. Trump is expected to be highly engaged in the commission's work, viewing college sports as a matter of national importance. Concurrently, there is growing momentum within college football to expand the College Football Playoff (CFP) from 12 to potentially 16 teams, with support from major conferences such as the SEC and Big Ten. Discussions include a 16-team playoff bracket featuring four automatic bids each for the SEC and Big Ten, with additional bids for the ACC, Big 12, Group of 6 conferences, and at-large selections. The SEC is also considering a shift to a nine-game conference football schedule, which ESPN has indicated it would support by increasing its annual payout to the league by $50 million to $80 million. This change is partly influenced by the inclusion of Oklahoma and Texas in the SEC. The proposed playoff expansion and schedule adjustments are seen as efforts to enhance competitiveness and television appeal, although some resistance remains due to concerns over TV windows. The commission's membership beyond Saban and Campbell has not yet been finalized. Meanwhile, college basketball schedules are also undergoing changes, with notable early-season matchups being highlighted. There is ongoing debate about the future of college sports governance, with some observers questioning whether the Trump-led commission will stabilize or further complicate the NCAA landscape.