Monday, June 1, 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

Lee Corso puts on the Brutus helmet as he makes his final pick between Kirk Herbstreit and Pat McAfee prior to the NCAA football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.
exclusive

Pat McAfee in Early Extension Talks With ESPN

McAfee’s current five-year deal with ESPN isn’t up until 2028.

Myles Garrett Trade Makes All-In Rams an Even Bigger TV Draw

The Super Bowl LXI favorite goes even more all-in.

Indiana’s Bears Stadium Bid Gets More Real After Illinois Misses Chance

Recriminations rise as Illinois leaders fail to ratify a Bears stadium bill.
Jan 4, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) waves to fans after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium.
exclusive

Russell Wilson Expected to Join CBS NFL Studio

Wilson’s NFL career included 10 Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl Championship.

Featured Today

Frances Cabral-Delaney

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.
May 23, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Fans participate in a tarp off during a MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium
May 28, 2026

‘Tarps Off’: How Shirtless Fans Took Over MLB

The viral movement began with the SFA club baseball team.
Apr 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) walks to the on deck circle during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field
May 28, 2026

Why Ballparks Are Louder Than Ever

Some stadiums sound like veritable nightclubs. How did we get here?
May 24, 2026; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats attack Kathryn Ratanaproeksa (13) shoots against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half at Martin Stadium
May 26, 2026

Can Women’s Lacrosse Buck the Trend in College Sports?

The sport is fighting to prove its worth in the revenue-sharing era.
May 31, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; United States midfielder Gio Reyna (7) with the ball in the first half at Bank of America Stadium

USMNT Doc Director on Reyna-Berhalter: Would’ve ‘Required Hours’

Rand Getlin told FOS he wasn’t going to “half-litigate” the controversy.
June 1, 2026

Skip Bayless Falls for False Report About Caitlin Clark, Stephanie White

It was a rare WNBA tweet from Bayless.
June 1, 2026

NHL Ratings Near Record Levels—and Now All-U.S. Stanley Cup Final Is Here

An all-U.S. matchup and broadcast TV exposure will likely expand the viewership.
Sponsored

The Hidden Economy of Race Weekend

Learn more about the Vintage Flying Museum and how Spectrum Business is helping them achieve their business goals while fueling their dreams.
Aug 17, 2025; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; A general view shows Sports Illustrated Stadium and Gotham FC logos before the game between Gotham FC and the Houston Dash.
exclusive
May 29, 2026

Several Longtime Writers Laid Off at Sports Illustrated

Writers Greg Bishop and Michael Rosenberg were laid off in a round of cuts on Friday.
WWE AAA
May 29, 2026

Why WWE Is Airing One of Its Most Anticipated Shows on YouTube

The mask vs. mask match won’t be hard to find.
Oxford, MS - November 4, 2023 - The Grove: Wright Thompson on the set of Marty & McGee.
May 28, 2026

Wright Thompson Bullish on Literary Sportswriting ‘Renaissance’

The ESPN senior writer also explained why he left Twitter/X.
Feb 6, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Pat McAfee on the Pat McAfee Show set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
opinion
May 27, 2026

Pat McAfee’s ESPN Value on Full Display in Commissioner Parade

McAfee’s special featured several league commissioners, athletes, and analysts.