Arizona State football has already made history winning the Big 12 Conference in its first year as a member and qualifying for the College Football Playoff. Head coach Kenny Dillingham led the team to a first-round bye as well, meaning the Sun Devils will play in the Peach Bowl as part of the quarterfinal round.
Just for those feats alone, ASU will receive a total of $8 million according to Forbes' Kristi Dosh. Under the CFP's payout format, each of the 12 teams that qualify for the playoff gets $4 million. Then an additional $4 million for each team that makes it to the quarterfinal.
If ASU continues to win in the postseason, it could see an additional $6 million in the program's coffers per victory (semifinal and national championship game equaling $12 million). So its fair to say the Sun Devils could earn a grand total of $20 million if it gets to the national title game.
On top of that, each team participating receives $3 million in expenses paid for their journey through the bracket.
CFP money is a huge boost to ASU's football program
There's a lot Dillingham can do with $8 million. That kind of cash can really go a long way in recruiting, NIL and facility upgrades.
It's the first time ASU has participated in the CFP and thus the first time in a long time it has received such national notoriety. It will be crucial for Dillingham and his staff to capitalize on it in order to convince higher levels of talent to consider landing in Tempe.
We've also seen the generosity of the 34-year old when he receives a windfall. He recently redistributed his $200,000 bonus amongst the off-field football staff, earning him some goodwill with fans across the country and perhaps the football gods as well.