Friday, August 21, 2026

Comcast CEO: Sports Rights Require ‘Really Hard Calls’

NBCUniversal/Design: Alex Brooks

Comcast spends $20 billion on content between its NBCUniversal and Sky divisions, but the large sum doesn’t make allocating funds easy for the media giant. 

The company wants to “remain one of the premier” sports broadcasters, but making decisions on obtaining sports rights involves “really hard calls,” says Comcast CEO and chairman Brian Roberts.

The CEO said the company picks and chooses its sporting events with care, focusing on the “sustainability of sports.”

  • In 2014, NBCUniversal paid $7.75 billion for rights to the Olympics until 2032.
  • NBC’s streaming service Peacock struck a five-year deal with WWE worth more than $1 billion in January.
  • The broadcaster will pay $1.71 billion per year to keep “Sunday Night Football” — an 80% increase from its current contract.
  • Peacock secured exclusive rights to stream the 2021 Premier Lacrosse League season.
  • The streaming service was nearing a $25 million deal for a Magic Johnson docuseries, per a report last month.
  • Earlier this month, NBCU agreed to a deal with Steph Curry’s Unanimous Media valued in the “high-eight-figure range.”

Roberts said Comcast reaches around 700 million people worldwide. Its revenue jumped 20.4% in Q2.

Comcast reached a deal with ViacomCBS last month to launch SkyShowtime, a European subscription service launching in 2022. Comcast bought Sky for $39 billion in 2018.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Huge Hall of Fame Game Ratings Point to Another Big Year for NFL

The latest NFL viewership suggests big things to come for the league.
Mar 4, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; The NFL Network logo on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NFL Network Blackout Ends As Comcast, Disney Reach Deal

The agreement ended a blackout lasting more than three months.

How the Chicago Sky Found the League’s Biggest Revelation

Sydney Taylor went undrafted in 2024 and played two years in Europe.

Caitlin Clark Avoids Suspension As WNBA Rescinds Technical Foul

Sky guard DiJonai Carrington was also ejected for a flagrant foul.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

8/21/26 – Jeanie Buss’s Ownership Battle, US Open’s Record Purse, Harden Hits $500M

0:00

Featured Today

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2026 Arsenal's Kai Havertz scores their first goal past Burnley's Max Weiss

Why the Premier League’s Star-Power Shortage Doesn’t Matter

The world’s richest soccer league doesn’t rely on big stars to dominate.
August 12, 2026

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.
Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes
August 6, 2026

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”
August 6, 2026

Tom Brady Explains His Aggressive Push Into Trading Cards

Brady talked to FOS about his eponymous card company.
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India - April 23, 2026 Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav in action
August 5, 2026

India Is Stealing Cricket’s Throne From England and Australia

India’s insatiable appetite for cricket has shifted the traditional locus of power.
Nov 6, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama guard Kai Spears (32) a walk on guard, takes a three late in the game at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

New York Times Loses $9.25M Defamation Verdict to Ex-Alabama Player

The outlet called the inaccurate report “an honest mistake.”
August 20, 2026

What We Know So Far About Clay Travis’s New Media Company

Hard Rock Bet already holds a 10% stake in it.
Aug 6, 2026; Canton, Ohio, USA; The NFL shield logo on the field before the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals play at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit:
Exclusive
August 21, 2026

The Athletic in Talks to Provide Content to NFL Media Properties

Such content could appear on NFL.com and the NFL+ app.
Sponsored

Saints Great Turns to Ownership

Marques Colston discusses his Champions Fund launch and finding success after football.
Jan 18, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Greg McElroy during 2025 CFP National Championship Media Day at Georgia World Congress Center, Building A. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
August 20, 2026

Greg McElroy Talks SEC vs. Big Ten Debate, Next Top Coaches

The ex-Alabama QB is entering his 13th season with ESPN.
Aug 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) passes the ball againnst the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
August 20, 2026

NFL Network’s Initial ESPN Preseason Ratings Rise 3%

Rams-Chiefs averaged a Week 1–high 2.38 million viewers.
Jan 14, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the Denver Nuggets logo on the shorts of guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Exclusive
August 19, 2026

Noah Reed, Katy Winge Form New Nuggets Broadcast Team

Jason Richardson and Lauren Gardner will also join Nuggets broadcasts.
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Semi Final - England v Argentina - Fans gather in Atlanta - Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - July 15, 2026 England fans gather in a bar after the match REUTERS/Megan Varner
August 19, 2026

Nielsen Set to Make Co-Viewing Official Just As Fall Sports Arrive

Enhanced co-viewing will become part of Nielsen’s official measurements.