Abstract

The focus of this study is to examine the dispersion of football-generated revenue and athlete talent among Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams in the modern College Football Playoff (CFP) era. This study is a follow-up to Caro and Benton’s examination of the “Great Divide” in 2012. The results of this study indicate that the conference and university stratification that existed through the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) era has intensified over the last decade. This study quantifies the inequality in college football and recommends means to correct or control this disparity, including the possibility of the Group of Five collective breaking off and beginning their own subdivision. College football may be past the point where parity in recruiting and revenue can be achieved. The implications and realities of this outcome are considered here.