Bigger Postseasons, Fading Traditions: The College Sports Expansion Debate

Two data points highlight the money-driven drift in college sports: only 9% of Big Ten football fans support commissioner Tony Petitti’s 24-team CFP, while the NCAA Tournament is headed toward 76 teams despite fan disapproval. The author argues both expansions are driven by revenue, risk diluting competitive meaning and tradition, and may not deliver the promised benefits, with football’s expansion posing a bigger threat to the regular season and more modest, gradual changes preferred over sweeping reform.