Gordon Gee Plays Role in Playoff Expansion, Meeting Goes Nowhere Leaving Bowlsby ‘Disappointed’

During Monday’s meetings for talks of expanding the College Football Playoff format to more teams, the committee could not come to an agreement. There was a mix of people that wanted four, eight or 12 teams in the playoffs.

Ross Dellenger from Sports Illustrated reported that the CFP commissioners did vote, but it was a split decision. Dellenger also reported that Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby was ‘very disappointed.’ Bowlsby wanted the playoffs to expand in 2024 or 2025, but it looks as the earliest date now is 2026.

CFP commissioners could not reach unanimity, Bob Bowlsby says. No expansion decision

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 10, 2022

West Virginia University’s president E. Gordon Gee was present for the meeting, as Gee is no longer in favor of expanding the playoff to 12 teams. Gee was in favor but recently in an interview with Charles Montgomery of WVU’s student newspaper, the Daily Athenaeum, Gee thinks playoff expansion is on “life support.”

ESPN’s Heather Dinich reported that Gee exited the meeting with no comments to reporters.

. @WestVirginiaU prez Gordon Gee has been escorted out without comment to reporters. That’s a damn shame.

— Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) January 10, 2022