Tuesday, June 2, 2026

NBC Seeking Record Amount for Super Bowl Spots

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

The price tag for ad space in next year’s Super Bowl will be bigger than it’s ever been. 

NBC is reportedly asking $6 million for a 30-second commercial spot and might require sponsors to buy an equal amount of advertising in the Beijing Winter Olympics to guarantee a prominent time slot in the big game.

Comcast’s NBC also has broadcasting rights to the Tokyo Olympics next month.

Last year, CBS asked for $5.5 million per spot. The broadcaster generated roughly $545 million in in-game advertising for a total of 57 minutes, including promos and national and local spots, according to Kantar.

The 9.1% hike comes even as the NFL’s ratings decreased last season.

  • This year’s Super Bowl between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs recorded only 96.4 million viewers — the lowest since 2007.
  • According to Nielsen, numbers for the regular season dropped 7% to 15.4 million viewers either live or on the same day of the broadcast — the lowest average since 2017.

Overall viewership of the NFL has declined in five of the past six years, but the league still generates more annual revenue than any other major league in North America, bringing in $15.26 billion in 2019.

NBC recently signed a 10-year deal with the NFL in which it’ll pay $2 billion annually for media rights. The network will retain its “Sunday Night Football” package and holds broadcasting rights to the 2026, 2030, and 2034 Super Bowls.

Super Bowl LVI takes place on Feb. 13, 2022.

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.
Jason McIntyre

How FS1’s Jason McIntyre Became a Liga MX Minority Owner

“Half the battle in work and in life is justifying your existence.”
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.
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
June 1, 2026

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

Rand Getlin told FOS he wasn’t going to “half-litigate” the controversy.
Sponsored

Landon Donovan: What Soccer in America Still Needs

Landon Donovan discusses the evolution of soccer in America, and investing in NWSL.
June 1, 2026

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

It was a rare WNBA tweet from Bayless.
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.