⚡ CFB Dashboard

The "expansion/realignment" provisions are primarily in Title II of the bill (Sports Broadcasting/Media Rights), under sections addressing conference mergers, acquisitions, and related restrictions (e.g., Sec. 205 in some drafts/revisions). These aim to limit further consolidation of power in the wealthiest conferences, prevent a potential "super league" (e.g., Big Ten + SEC merger or breakaway), promote competitive balance, protect non-revenue/Olympic/women’s sports, and support broader media rights pooling. They have drawn strong opposition from the Big Ten and SEC. Key Provisions on Realignment/Expansion (as of recent revisions, mid-June 2026): Prohibition on Certain Conference Mergers, Consolidations, and Acquisitions: Bars conferences (or related entities) exceeding a revenue threshold from merging with, consolidating with, or acquiring another conference’s assets, media rights, or membership. Original language: Targeted conferences with >$1 billion in revenue (primarily Big Ten and SEC). Revised language (significant change): Lowers the threshold to conferences earning $700 million+ in revenue. This now includes the ACC and Big 12, effectively freezing further poaching/expansion among the Power Four conferences. Prevents high-revenue conferences from adding schools from other high-revenue conferences (e.g., SEC/Big Ten cannot easily take ACC or Big 12 schools; ACC and Big 12 cannot raid each other). Broader Anti-Super League Measures: Prohibits outside firms/entities from helping establish a breakaway super conference. Ties into media rights pooling: Restrictions help ensure that if schools/conferences voluntarily pool rights (under a limited antitrust exemption, requiring ~75% FBS participation for full benefits), membership stays stable and equitable distribution occurs. Other Related Safeguards: Preserves traditional rivalries (e.g., requirements for scheduling historic opponents in football). Local/free broadcast protections and rules favoring non-revenue sports access. Bars certain large-conference actions that could undermine pooling or overall balance. These rules do not completely ban all realignment (e.g., lower-tier conferences adding schools or other structural changes might still occur), but they significantly restrict movement among the richest programs to stabilize the sport and counter the "arms race." Context and Impact: Supporters (many conferences, NCAA, etc.) see this as protecting the broader ecosystem. Big Ten/SEC oppose it as unfairly targeting them and potentially harming their leverage. The bill advanced from committee (with these provisions intact or strengthened), but amendments could still occur. Details are subject to final legislative changes.