ESPN as expected reached a 12-year agreement to become the exclusive rights-holder for the upcoming college football playoff system, which begins with the 2014-15 season. If ESPN as rumored paid $500 million per season, that translates to about $7.3 billion for the full package including recent deals for the Rose, Sugar and Orange Bowls. The agreement begins in January 2015 and runs through the 2026 bowls. ESPN also gains rights to any related programming, including the official team-selection announcement.