Private equity may soon have a stake in college football’s Division I FCS postseason.
According to Front Office Sports, Los Angeles–based firm Sequence Equity presented a plan to FCS commissioners that would create a privatized FCS College Football Playoff operated by a new entity. Under the proposal, FCS conferences would hold majority ownership while Sequence Equity would take a minority stake and contribute “tens of millions of dollars” in investment.
The idea mirrors the structure of the FBS College Football Playoff, which operates independently from the NCAA and generates billions through media rights. While the FCS doesn’t command the same scale, Sequence Equity argues schools are leaving valuable media revenue untapped under the current NCAA-run system.
How the FCS Postseason Works Now
The FCS playoff is currently run by the NCAA, featuring a 24-team bracket that includes 10 conference champions and 14 at-large bids. The championship game is set for Jan. 5 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville.
Media rights are bundled with about 40 other NCAA championships in a package with ESPN worth around $115 million annually. A standalone playoff deal could potentially unlock new revenue for FCS schools.
What’s Next?
Talks remain in the early stages. FCS commissioners have reportedly reached out to NCAA leadership to continue discussions, though no timeline has been set. Multiple FCS leagues declined to comment on the proposal.
If approved, the privatized structure could represent a major shift in how FCS football postseason is funded and marketed in the era of revenue sharing.