ESPN Pushing College Football Playoff To Move Semifinals to January 2nd
By Ty Duffy
Next year’s College Football Playoff semifinals are scheduled for New Years Eve, to accommodate the Rose and Sugar Bowls on New Year’s Day. Sports Business Journal is reporting ESPN is pushing the College Football Playoff to move to January 2nd. That would be a wise move.
Playoff games on New Year’s Eve are an incredible pain in the ass. It places “must view” college football content in direct conflict with “cannot avoid” social obligations. Besides inconveniencing just about everyone, it’s bad for business.
New Year’s Eve semifinals will rate lower than New Year’s Day, which was a spectacular success. Moreover, the New Year’s Day bowls would rate far better as appetizers than dessert. The last thing folks will be up for, a day after a playoff double header, is more football that doesn’t mean as much.
The move sets up perfectly for 2016, as January 2nd is an empty Saturday. The CFB playoff is currently “holding firm.” [UPDATE: CFB Playoff “is not interested.”] But, we’d imagine it happens. ESPN is funding the whole thing. Setting up the event for television success should trump all other interests.
Per SBJ, College Football’s Championship Game could also have to move. NFL playoff expansion could see a wildcard game played on Monday Night.