Friday September 22, 2023
The Best Employers in Sports Survey is Now Open!

CBS, Fox NFL Broadcast Deals Present Sunday Ticket Challenges 

  • Apple and the NFL are interested in linking up on a deal for NFL Sunday Ticket.
  • Existing contracts with Fox and CBS complicate those negotiations.
NFL-Cincinnati-Bengals
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Front Office Sports Today

Could Promotion-Relegation work in College Football?

The proposal aims to create an exciting media product while reducing travel for non-football sports.
Listen Now
September 21, 2023 | Podcast
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

The NFL has one more big play to make with its media rights — but striking a deal is proving more complicated than simply picking a bidder.

The league intends to select a streaming provider for NFL Sunday Ticket this year, but exclusivity deals with its linear broadcasters have introduced challenges, per CNBC.

  • Apple is believed to be the frontrunner for the out-of-market games package — the NFL is seeking around $2.5 billion annually.
  • The league’s broadcast deals with CBS and Fox include exclusive access to local games, which has helped dictate the networks’ purchases of local TV stations.
  • Those deals also reportedly mandate that Sunday Ticket retain a high price tag for consumers.

Apple would prefer a deal similar to the 10-year, $2.5 billion one it has with Major League Soccer, to which it holds global rights. Sunday Ticket is currently a U.S.-only product.

DirecTV holds the rights for Sunday Ticket through this season for an annual $1.5 billion. The company has historically lost money on the package. Amazon, Disney, and Google have also shown interest in the product.

Package Deal

The NFL is looking to pair Sunday Ticket with a stake in NFL Media, which includes NFL.com and cable networks NFL Network and RedZone. 

The league may still adjust course and sell that stake separately, particularly if it hinders a deal for Sunday Ticket.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ottawa-Senators

Andlauer Completes Record $950M Senators Acquisition

Long-awaited pact follows three months of due diligence, league review

FIFA, Kroenke Clash Over SoFi Stadium's World Cup Revenue Sharing

SoFi Stadium's hosting of World Cup matches may be in jeopardy.

TKO Makes First Big Move After WWE-UFC Merger

Investors drop TKO shares by 15% following SmackDown rights deal
LIV Golf flag pin

Saudi Prince Dismisses Sportswashing Claims Post Newcastle, LIV Golf

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is bullish on sports.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Could Promotion-Relegation work in College Football?

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

Teams without secured venue situations could be left out of a potential XFL-USFL merger.

XFL-USFL Merger Could Drop Teams, Change League Name

Teams without secured venues could be cut from a XFL-USFL merger.
September 21, 2023

Rupert Murdoch's Exit Leaves Lasting Fox Sports Legacy

Rupert Murdoch steps down as chairman of Fox Corp. and News Corp.
Could ESPN lose events such as the NBA Finals if it sold ABC.
September 21, 2023

Selling ABC Poses Billion-Dollar Dilemma for Disney and ESPN's Future

Losing ABC would create complications as ESPN enters NBA rights negotiations.
Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs the ball against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks during the first half at Albertsons Stadium.
exclusive
September 20, 2023

The First Official Proposal for Promotion-Relegation In College Football

Realignment is forcing Group of 5 schools to rethink their structure.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago
Fanatics
New York
Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, Inc.
USA - Multiple Locations
Deion Sanders and The Rock

Deion Sanders Reshaping College Football Fanbase With Buffaloes Surge

Deion Sanders has made Colorado "Black America's Team."
NBC will reportedly pay $287 million annually across five years to air broadcast on USA Network.
September 21, 2023

NBC Inks WWE SmackDown Rights for Reported $1.4 Billion

The reported rights fee is about 40% higher than SmackDown's Fox deal.
September 20, 2023

Can Amazon Keep Up NFL Viewership Boost After Record Week 1?

The San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants face off on Thursday night.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is tripped up by New York Jets defensive end Solomon Thomas in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium.
September 20, 2023

NFL Viewership Sees 2% Increase in First Two Weeks of 2023 Season

The NFL is experiencing its highest viewership since 2018.
September 19, 2023

WBD Pursues ‘Different’ Strategy For Sports on Max

Company to place all of its live sports on new streaming tier
Deion Sanders
September 19, 2023

Colorado's Epic Victory Sets New ESPN Prime Time Viewership Record

Coach Prime Deion Sanders delivered in prime time on ESPN.
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
September 18, 2023

'Monday Night Football' Returns To ABC Amid Entertainment Breakdown

ABC will simulcast 15 regular season "Monday Night Football" games.
September 15, 2023

DSG Looks To Use NHL Kings Deal As Reorganization Model

Agreement arrives as bankrupt RSN operator nears deadline for reorganization plan