• Loading stock data...
Sunday, July 27, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot
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

Limited Hype

Sneaker Reselling Was Once Easy Money. Success Is Now Complicated

Vendors need to evolve what they’re selling and how they do it.

NFL Fines 100 Players, Dozens of Team Employees for Super Bowl Ticket..

No individuals have been named in the ongoing investigation yet.

Featured Today

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.
July 17, 2025

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Sports personality Stephen A. Smith arrives before the CFP National Championship college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
opinion

Why Stephen A. Smith Could Succeed in Dwindling Late-Night TV Era

The face of “First Take” has shown interest in talk-show hosting.
Mar 29, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; View of a camera with a Fox Sports logo before the game between the Houston Astros and the New York Mets at Daikin Park.
exclusive
July 23, 2025

Parkins Joins Expanded ‘First Things First’ As FS1 Completes Transition

He’ll join Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, and Kevin Wildes.
exclusive
July 23, 2025

ESPN Locks in Bulk of Bill Belichick’s First UNC Season

The network’s ACC media rights deal will pay off this season.
Sponsored

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

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Oklahoma City, OK - June 22, 2025 - Paycom Center: Iman Shumpert courtside for Hoop Streams during game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals.
July 22, 2025

ESPN’s Playoff Surprise: Spotlight Turns Shumpert Into Hot Prospect

After his impressive ESPN postseason coverage, Shumpert is a coveted free agent.
Dec 10, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; MLB Network host Adnan Virk on the set at the Hilton Anatole during the 2024 MLB Winter Meetings.
exclusive
July 22, 2025

Adnan Virk Opens Up on ‘Cinephile’ Book, ESPN Exit

“I’m amazed at how things have worked out.”
July 18, 2025

Shannon Sharpe, Accuser Settle $50M Sexual Assault Lawsuit

The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
exclusive
July 18, 2025

Bill Belichick UNC Series Heading to Hulu After ‘Hard Knocks’ Breakdown

The series lands at Hulu after a deal with HBO fell through.