Kirk Herbstreit celebrates new monster ESPN-College Football Playoff TV deal

Kirk Herbstreit celebrated the monster new College Football Playoff television deal with ESPN. The longtime analyst has been a fixture for the network’s coverage and he and the rest won’t go anywhere anytime soon.

“BIG DAY for ESPN/ABC!!,” Herbstreit wrote on Twitter. “So appreciative of Bob Iger/Jimmy Pitaro and their ongoing commitment to College Football. The marketplace has never been more competitive and there was a lot of talk about the future of the CFP being split up with other networks-that talk and speculation is officially over. Congratulations to everyone, at ESPN, who works so hard on this sport and loves it like I do.”

ESPN and the College Football Playoff finalized a six-year extension averaging $1.3 billion annually.

ESPN and the College Football Playoff formally announced the extension, “ensuring ESPN will continue as the exclusive, worldwide rightsholder to college football’s premier postseason event through the 2031-32 season,” the announcement read.

ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro couldn’t be happier to see the College Football Playoff remain with ESPN throughout their expansion era.

“ESPN has worked very closely with the College Football Playoff over the past decade to build one of the most prominent events in American sports. We look forward to enhancing our valued relationship over the next two years, and then continuing it for six more as we embark on this new, expanded playoff era,” said Jimmy Pitaro, via the press release. “This agreement further solidifies ESPN as the home of college football, as well as the destination for the vast majority of major college championships for the next eight years.”

Additionally, CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock echoed Pitaro’s sentiments, as the partnership will continue moving forward.

“We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with ESPN,” said Hancock. “It’s a significant day for the CFP and for the future of college football. The depth of coverage that ESPN gives to the sport throughout the season is second to none.

“There is no better platform to showcase this iconic championship as we move into the new 12-team format because ESPN’s people love college football every bit as much as we all do.”

Stephen Samra contributed to this report