Friday, April 10, 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.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel walks on field before Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
exclusive

Vrabel-Russini Photos Were Shopped to Multiple Outlets

The New York Post published the now-viral photos on Tuesday.
NFL: Denver Broncos at Washington Commanders

Top Sports Attorneys Command $10M Salaries Amid Poaching Frenzy

“The transfer portal is open for sports lawyers.”

NFL Faces DOJ Investigation With Media-Rights Battle Heating Up

Washington’s growing scrutiny of the league is deeply layered.
Apr 4, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; ESPN reporter Holly Rowe during practice for the 2026 NCAA Women's Final Four at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Holly Rowe Talks WNBA Draft, Auriemma-Staley Dustup

The ESPN reporter addressed a variety of women’s basketball topics.

Featured Today

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.
April 8, 2026

Why Did FIFA Do a Deal With an Obscure Prediction Market?

The product is scheduled to launch on Thursday.
Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) and center Tomislav Ivisic (13) react in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center.
April 4, 2026

Loopholes Enable Int’l College Basketball Players to Cash In

Schools have scrambled to find a way to compensate international players.
April 1, 2026

‘The Sonics Never Died’: The Long Afterlife of Seattle NBA Merch

Inside “the largest team shop for a team that doesn’t exist.” 
Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy tees off on the eighth hole during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
opinion

Why Prime Video Was Wise to Lay Up During Masters Debut

Amazon’s modern broadcast still felt traditional.
April 8, 2026

Men’s March Madness Title Game Draws 18.3M Viewers, Up 23%

Michigan’s title win completes an emphatic run of audience increases.
Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Sam Burns putts on the 15th green during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
April 9, 2026

Amazon Passes Masters Test During Debut

Prime Video streamed two hours of coverage Thursday afternoon.
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
Jul 12, 2023; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Former WNBA player Sue Bird arrives on the red carpet before the 2023 ESPYS at the Dolby Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
exclusive
April 8, 2026

Sue Bird Expected to Join NBC/Peacock WNBA Coverage

Bird previously hosted Final Four alt-casts for ESPN with Diana Taurasi.
April 8, 2026

Women’s Title Game Draws 9.9M Viewers, Third-Highest Since 1989

Last year’s title game drew 8.5 million viewers.
Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
April 7, 2026

Mike Vrabel: Photos With Dianna Russini Are ‘Completely Innocent’

A social media post with the photos attracted two million views.
Inductees in the 2021 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame attend a press conference Thursday afternoon Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum. Tim Brando
exclusive
April 7, 2026

Tim Brando Agrees to Multi-Year Extension With Fox Sports

The Hall of Fame broadcaster has been with Fox since 2014.