Saturday, August 22, 2026

Goodell Gives Fall Deadline for NFL Sunday Ticket Decision

  • The NFL is seeking $2.5 billion to $3 billion annually for rights.
  • DirecTV will pay $1.5 billion for the 2022 season.
Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Friday that the league will secure a deal for its NFL Sunday Ticket package with a streaming service by the fall — after more than 25 years on DirecTV. 

Amazon, Apple, and Disney are poised to contend for Sunday Ticket, which allows subscribers to watch every NFL game on Sundays regardless of their home market. 

  • The NFL is seeking $2.5 billion to $3 billion annually for rights.
  • DirecTV has held rights to the package since 1994 — its current deal ends after 2022.
  • DirecTV will pay $1.5 billion for the 2022 season. 

The NFL is also looking to bundle Sunday Ticket with a stake in NFL Media, which includes the NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and NFL.com.

America’s most popular professional sports league continues to be a hot commodity. In March 2021, the NFL finalized its media rights deals with CBS, NBC, FOX, and Amazon. 

The deals — which begin in 2023 — are believed to be worth $113 billion over 11 seasons. 

Amazon will pay $1 billion per year for exclusive rights to “Thursday Night Football,” while Disney-owned ESPN will pay $2.7 billion annually to broadcast “Monday Night Football.” 

Committed to Live Sports 

Apple would diversify its portfolio of sports-related investments with a deal with the NFL. 

In March, the tech giant made its first foray into live sports when it secured media rights to stream MLB in a deal worth $85 million annually.

Last month, it agreed to a deal worth at least $2.5 billion to stream MLS matches.

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

Jan 18, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of a Fox Sports broadcast microphone before the game between the Oregon Ducks against the Colorado Buffaloes at the CU Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Exclusive

Steven Ruiz Leaving The Ringer for Fox Sports

Ruiz had been with The Ringer since 2021.
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

The Athletic in Talks to Provide Content to NFL Media Properties

Such content could appear on NFL.com and the NFL+ app.
First at FOS

Key NFL Committees Clear Way for $9.6 Billion Seahawks Sale

The sale is now likely to be ratified next week.

Arctos Adds Stake in 4th NFL Team With Falcons Deal

The agreement reportedly values the Falcons at $10.6 billion.
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.”
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.
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.
Sponsored

Saints Great Turns to Ownership

Marques Colston discusses his Champions Fund launch and finding success after football.
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.
Feb 4, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; NFL Network host Colleen Wolfe on radio row at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Exclusive
August 19, 2026

NFL Media Re-Arms As Andrew Siciliano, Colleen Wolfe Return

Michael Yam, Trevor Sikkema, and Brett Kollmann are also joining NFL Media.