• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
exclusive
Tuned In

ESPN, Fox Reluctant to Share Talent With Netflix for Christmas NFL Games

It appears as though Netflix will have to rely on talent from NFL Network and CBS for the 2025 slate of Christmas NFL games.

Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Netflix may have to make some adjustments to its Christmas wishlist this year.

Some rival networks are bristling at the idea of lending their on-air talents to the streaming behemoth for this year’s holiday double-header, sources tell Front Office Sports

When the Commanders face the Cowboys and the Vikings play the Lions on Christmas Day, ESPN talent won’t appear on the Netflix presentation of the games, sources said. Fox talent is not expected to appear, either. 

Things could change in the event that Netflix agrees to the terms the networks have demanded. 

ESPN talents who worked last year’s Netflix slate included Laura Rutledge and Mina Kimes. Fox denied a request for its top announce team of Tom Brady and Kevin Burkhardt but eventually relented to allow Greg Olsen to work as a color commentator. 

Amazon, which did not have any NFL talents on Netflix last year, has a Christmas game of its own this year, Chiefs-Broncos, airing the same night of the Netflix doubleheader. It would therefore logistically not be able to lend its core NFL talents for the holiday. 

CBS produced the games for Netflix last year and lent talents including Ian Eagle, J.J. Watt, Nate Burleson, and Gene Steratore. CBS is producing the games for Netflix again this year, and the expectation is that a number of its talents will be on the 2025 Christmas telecasts. 

Spokespeople for ESPN, Fox, CBS, and Netflix declined to comment; spokespeople for Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

There are several reasons why networks like ESPN and Fox wouldn’t want their talents appearing on Netflix. It has been widely speculated that the NFL could opt out of rights agreements with its partners in 2029, and that Netflix could be in contention for a bigger package. Rival outlets don’t want to help Netflix gain a leg up in the process. 

Another factor is that the networks pay a lot of money for their broadcasters, in many cases, in the hopes of keeping them exclusive to their own programming. Fox, for example, bars its talents from appearing on CBS and ESPN as a blanket rule. 

While we are still nearly six months out from Christmas, it appears as though Netflix will have to rely on talent from NFL Network and CBS, perhaps even more so than last year.

Sources said YouTube, which has a high-profile Chargers-Chiefs game on the second night of the season, also might have an uphill climb to borrowing established talents from other networks. 

While the competition plays a role, it’s also the timing. ESPN and Fox have their own loaded Week 1 slates and want their talents focused on their own coverage. 

NBC is producing the game for YouTube. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Gauff, Pegula Out at Wimbledon in Nightmare Start for American Women, ESPN

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula were ranked Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, entering Wimbledon.
Dewanna Bonner
exclusive

WNBA Cutdown Deadline Could Spur Deals for DeWanna Bonner, Emma Meesseman

The two big-name free agents could find their WNBA homes in July.
Ohio State

Collectives Funnel $20 Million to College Athletes on Last Day Before Revenue..

Collectives frontloaded payments just before the revenue sharing era begins July 1.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.

ESPN, MLB Relationship May Not Be Over After All

The parties restart rights talks amid a high-profile divorce in February.
exclusive
June 27, 2025

TNT Will No Longer Operate NBA TV, NBA.com, Signaling Another Shift

TNT had operated NBA TV and NBA.com since 2008.
Jun 10, 2025; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) drops back to pass during minicamp at their South Side facility.
opinion
June 30, 2025

Steelers Win-Now Mode Is Good News for NFL Media Partners

The conservative “Steeler Way” has finally adapted—and media partners are happy.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 26, 2025

NBA Draft Ratings Fall 14.5% Despite Early Cooper Flagg Lift

3.77 million viewers watched across ESPN and ABC.
Bristol, CT - October 3, 2023 - Studio X: Kevin Negandhi on the set of SportsCenter.
June 26, 2025

From NBA Draft to Rubik’s Championship: Negandhi’s Whirlwind Summer With ESPN

Negandhi recently anchored the NBA draft lottery and NBA draft.
opinion
June 25, 2025

From Woj Bombs to Shams Calm: ESPN Insider Avoids Draft Spoilers

Charania’s presence was fairly muted both on ESPN and social media.
June 25, 2025

Amazon NASCAR Ratings Down 17%, but Skew Younger

Prime Video averaged 2.16 million per race during its five-event stretch.