For years, the Army-Navy football game has been played on the second Saturday of December, right before the start of the College Football Playoff. But this historic event may change ahead of the proposed 24-team College Football Playoff.
Each year, the Army-Navy game generates millions of dollars for both athletic departments through sponsorship dollars, ticket sales, and an exclusive television contract with CBS. The event also gives both schools a chance to recruit, as the game is viewed as a privilege and an honor. But as the conversation continues to point toward a 24-team playoff, concerns have risen around whether it would threaten the scheduling of America's Game.
Back in March, President Trump signed an executive order called "Preserving America's Game" that directed media networks and the CFP to secure an exclusive broadcast window for the game.
As of now, the CFP hosts a 12-team bracket, but if it were to expand to 24 teams, the first round would most likely be played the same weekend the Army-Navy game is normally played. To preserve the integrity of the game, Trump's executive order directs the Secretary of Commerce, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, the College Football Playoff, broadcast networks, and the NCAA to work toward that exclusive window.
"For over a century, the Army–Navy Game, known as 'America's Game,' has stood as a symbol of excellence and the American spirit," the order said. "Such scheduling conflicts weaken the national focus on our Military Service Academies and detract from a morale-building event of vital interest to the Department of War."
Over the past few months, several options have been presented in order to accommodate all parties involved, including moving the game to the first Saturday of December, which is currently reserved for conference championship games.
"I view these conversations as a win for the academies and 'America's Game,'" Army athletic director Tom Theodorakis said, via Front Office Sports . "If we can preserve Army-Navy while giving our Cadet athletes the opportunity to be in the College Football Playoff, that's the best of both worlds."
Conference leaders also recognize the importance of Army-Navy, including American commissioner Tim Pernetti.
"The Army-Navy game is a national treasure where the true commitment of our future leaders is on display," Pernetti told The Capital Gazette earlier this year. "We will do whatever it takes to protect and defend it."
If the first Saturday of December opens up, the matchup would achieve everything both sides set out to do, and both teams could still participate in the CFP if either qualifies.
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