• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Fox Analyst and Media Entrepreneur Greg Olsen to Speak at Tuned In Get your ticket now!

CW’s Pushing Further Than Ever Into Live Sports With NASCAR Deal

  • The CW is becoming the exclusive home of the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
  • Fox and NBC had been broadcasting the series’ races as part of their larger NASCAR deals.
Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

The CW is making its biggest push ever for live sports — nabbing the exclusive broadcast rights of the NASCAR Xfinity Series from 2025-2031.

Friday’s announcement comes on the heels of much smaller deals struck earlier this year for media rights to ACC football and basketball games and LIV Golf tournaments. 

The CW is shelling out $805 million to be the new home of the NASCAR circuit just below the Cup Series, per Sports Business Journal, taking over the rights from Fox and NBC, who currently televise the Xfinity Series as part of their overarching deals with NASCAR. 

The $115 million annual figure is bigger than the reported $85 million ESPN is paying for Formula 1 rights. 

NASCAR says Xfinity Series races draw approximately 1 million viewers per race each season on a mix of cable and network TV — but expects that number to grow with every race consistently available to a wider audience. It will broadcast 33 races per season.

Another sports target for the CW could be the Pac-12 — if the conference can remain intact beyond this upcoming academic year. 

It’s been a wild year for the network majority-owned by Nexstar Media Group — the CW had no exclusive rights to any live sport before 2023.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 7, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; President Donald Trump prior to the final of mens singles at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Ryder Cup to Sort Out Trump Attendance After US Open Delay

The president is planning on attending the Ryder Cup’s opening round.
Nov 9, 2024; Avondale, Arizona, USA; 23XI Racing team owner Michael Jordan during qualifying for the Cup Series championship race at Phoenix Raceway.

Jordan Can’t Bar Charter Sales Because NASCAR Agreed Not to Sell Charters

The contentious antitrust suit is slated to go to trial this December.

Scheffler, McIlroy, but No LIV at Trump Jupiter Made-for-TV Showcase

The eight-player team showcase will take place Dec. 17 in primetime.

Featured Today

Aug 23, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) leads the team onto the field for warm ups before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.

Slow Burn: The NFL’s Private-Equity Era So Far

Three deals have been struck to date. But the league is bullish.
Tennis
September 5, 2025

The US Open Is Groaning Under the Weight of Its Own Success

New York’s tennis major is more popular than ever.
Dec 21, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets ready to take the field prior to a game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
September 5, 2025

How Brazil Game Fits Into NFL’s Plans for World Domination

Friday night’s Chiefs-Chargers game in São Paulo is big by design.
Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrate their touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field.
September 2, 2025

TV Ratings Just Changed Again. The NFL Will Be the Big Winner

Nielsen’s new viewership system will have a big impact on sports.

NFL’s Expected Early-Season Ratings Boost Gets Off to a Stormy Start

The kickoff game somewhat resembles the delays last year in an SNF game.
Eagles
September 4, 2025

The Death of Streameast Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

Mirror sites began popping up Thursday, the day the NFL season begins.
September 4, 2025

TNT Sports to Try Its Own Streaming App After WBD Split

TNT Sports will have its own app as a corporate split approaches.
Sponsored

Trailblazer Cal Calamia Is Racing for ‘Advocacy, Storytelling, and Performance’

The marathoner wants excellence—not just inclusion—to be the goal for non-binary athletes.
September 4, 2025

3 ABC Games Top 10M Viewers Each in ESPN’s Record CFB Weekend

Miami–Notre Dame led the way with 10.8 million viewers.
September 4, 2025

Bill Belichick’s UNC Debut Draws More Than 6M Viewers on ESPN

TCU-UNC was the fifth-most-watched college football game of Week 1.
September 3, 2025

Ohio State–Texas Showdown Was Most-Watched Week 1 CFB Game Ever

Fox drew 16.62 million viewers on Saturday afternoon.
September 2, 2025

NFL on Nielsen’s Latest Measurement Upgrade: ‘More Work to Be Done’

The league calls its relationship with the agency a “protracted journey.”