• Loading stock data...
Monday, June 16, 2025

DirecTV Could Retain ‘Sunday Ticket’ Commercial Business

  • NFL in midst of ‘very competitive’ bidding process.
  • Google’s YouTube TV to take over residential business in 2023.
Multiple large satellites
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL scored another big payday Thursday by agreeing to an estimated $14 billion, 7-year deal with Google’s YouTube TV for residential rights to its “Sunday Ticket” package.

DirecTV has held the rights to “Sunday Ticket” since its inception in 1994. But the satellite giant’s 28-year-old relationship with the NFL is not dead yet.

DirecTV is in talks to retain the “commercial” portion of “Sunday Ticket,” sources said. That includes the 300,000-plus sports bars and restaurants that use the service to show out-of-market NFL games to customers.

Under this scenario, DirecTV would either deal directly with the NFL or do a sub-licensing deal with Google or another company. The NFL is looking to pocket as much as $200 million from licensing commercial rights, according to the Wall Street Journal.

“The NFL retains the commercial rights to ‘Sunday Ticket’ and are in the midst of a very competitive process for that,” a league spokesman told Front Office Sports Thursday.

Andrew Siciliano preparing for NFL RED ZONE 
exclusive

Sources: DirecTV’s Red Zone Channel Could Be Cancelled

DirecTV’s original Red Zone channel could be going away.
December 21, 2022

DirecTV declined to comment. 

But it makes sense for the company to try to remain in the “Sunday Ticket” business.

For now, most sports bars and restaurants show live events through satellite dishes on their roofs rather than via high-speed streaming.

The specter of key sports games freezing or buffering at crucial moments gives sports bar owners nightmares. Many prefer to keep their old dish rather than embrace the brave new world of live-streaming sports.

Apple had long been considered the front-runner for ‘Sunday Ticket.’ But the tech giant recently dropped out of the bidding, which included Amazon and Disney.

YouTube TV will take over “Sunday Ticket” rights starting in 2023. DirecTV has been paying the NFL $1.5 billion yearly for the rights under a contract extension signed in 2014.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Tennessee wide receiver Grant Frerking (0) drills during fall practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021.

Ex-Tennessee Football Player, On3 Staffer Accused of Financial Scams

Grant Frerking parted ways with On3 amid “allegations of criminal misconduct.”

From NFL to PGA Tour: How Brian Rolapp Could Reshape Golf

Brian Rolapp is set to become the PGA Tour’s first CEO.
Jun 11, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher David Peterson (23) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.

Citi Bankers Break Down the Rise of Sports As an Asset Class

Two sports executives dish on soaring valuations and emerging leagues.
Antonio Brown

Antonio Brown Wanted for Attempted Murder After Shooting at Celebrity Boxing Event

Police said he fought and tried to shoot another man last month.

Featured Today

Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.
Jan 24, 2017; Davidson, NC, USA; The Davidson Wildcats student section cheers during the first half against the Duquesne Dukes at McKillop Court at John M. Belk Arena. Davidson defeated Duquesne 74-60.
June 6, 2025

Every College Wants a Flashy Basketball GM Hire Right Now

The role is more important than ever, and the definition is ever-evolving.
August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; The Goodyear blimp flies over Ohio Stadium during the first half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game between the Akron Zips and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
June 6, 2025

Why the Goodyear Blimp Is at Every Major Sports Event

The airship wasn’t built to cover sports. Now it’s a regular presence.
June 11, 2025

Adam Silver Opens Up on NBA Finals Ratings, Court Decals

Adam Silver appeared on ESPN’s pregame show.
June 12, 2025

NBA Finals Ratings Rise in Game 3, but Still Trail Recent Years

The Pacers lead the Thunder, 2–1, in the Finals.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Ted Leonsis unpacks basketball’s global rise, media rights, and portfolio ownership.
Jun 11, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; General view of US Open signage on the 18th hole during a practice round for the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club.
June 11, 2025

U.S. Open Still ‘Months Away’ From Signing New Media-Rights Deal

NBC’s contract with the USGA expires in 2026.
Aaron Boone
June 11, 2025

MLB’s Jomboy Deal Shows Full 180

Baseball had long fought creators or kept them at arm’s length.
June 10, 2025

French Open Ratings Up 25% in TNT’s First Year, Fueled by Finals

The men’s match peaked at 2.6 million viewers.
June 10, 2025

Disney’s Hulu Takeover Sets Stage for Deeper ESPN Integration

The ESPN parent company will pay $438.7 million to complete the transaction.