Tuesday, June 30, 2026

NFL’s Added Value

Fox NFL Camera
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

As the NFL season approaches, billions of TV ad revenue are at stake. Last year, the league generated $3.3 billion in regular season ad revenue and $1.3 billion in the postseason.

The NBA, NHL and MLB combined for $2 billion in national TV ad revenue last year. There’s also another $1.7 billion in TV ad revenue tied to college football, which has already lost two Power 5 conference seasons.

Without both the NFL and NCAA football, marketers could be left without prime audiences for their advertisements. If the NFL is left as the lone football option this fall, however, it could be a bigger opportunity for marketers as the league generally draws more eyeballs than a college football game — the NFL accounted for 41 of the 50 top-rated television programs of any kind in 2019.

Network Ad Revenue Share From NFL: 

Fox: 39%

CBS: 24%

NBC: 21%

ESPN: 17%

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

Boston’s Rocky World Cup Still Delivered Tournament Classics

Scotland, a knockout thriller, and America250 are making up for difficult preparations.
Rob Stone speaks during the Fox Sports Big Noon Kickoff NCAA football pregame show, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, at the Pentacrest in Iowa City, Iowa.

A Bandwagoner’s Guide to the USMNT World Cup Run

Rob Stone breaks down the Americans’ outlook ahead of Wednesday.

Comcast’s NBCUniversal Split Could Give the NFL More Leverage

The forthcoming split will reverberate throughout the entire media business.
Jun 28, 2026; Cromwell, Connecticut, USA; Viktor Hovland follows his drive on the 1st hole during the final round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: John Dufour-Imagn Images

NBC Misses First Hour of Red Sox–Yankees Amid PGA Tour Delay

The Travelers Championship experienced a weather delay on Sunday.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with Mia Hamm on the World Cup, NWSL Growth, Angel City Ownership, and Women’s Sports Narratives

0:00

Featured Today

June 26, 2026

In an Era of $1,000 Tickets, $10 Watch Parties Bring Fans Together

Stadium watch parties now rival home-game experiences.
June 25, 2026

Italian Americans Have Severe World Cup FOMO

Bars and restaurants in Boston, Philly, and beyond are missing the Azzurri.
Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) celebrates a three-point basket Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77
June 24, 2026

Female Athletes Are Trying to Build the ‘Athleisure of Beauty’

“Performance cosmetics” have emerged alongside the women’s sports boom.
June 18, 2026

Why U.S. Open Host Sites Are on a 25-Year Plan

The U.S. Open has already picked out 22 future sites through 2051.
St. John's Zuby Ejiofor

Why Rev-Share Era Hasn’t Been a Boon for Basketball-Only Schools

Power conference men’s basketball rosters aren’t restricted to the rev-share cap.
NBA Cup
November 26, 2025

Luka Dončić Wants ‘Dangerous’ NBA Cup Court Designs Changed

Dončić first complained about the court designs two seasons ago.
February 11, 2026

Jameis Winston Says He’s Given Seven Figures to Florida State

Winston led Florida State football to its last national championship. 
Sponsored

Josh Childress: Why Now Is the Time for NBA Expansion

Josh Childress on why he invested in the Portland Thorns, the case for NBA expansion, and donating to Stanford NIL.
Fernando Tatis
October 6, 2025

Arbitrator Says Tatis Jr. Must Pay Big League Advance Millions

Tatis has called the agreement a “predatory” loan.
September 3, 2025

Ohio State–Texas Showdown Was Most-Watched Week 1 CFB Game Ever

Fox drew 16.62 million viewers on Saturday afternoon.
Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Woodi Washington (5) runs after a reception during the Armed Forces Bowl football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Navy Midshipmen at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024.
August 19, 2025

Oklahoma Selling Fans Tickets to Press Conferences

Press conference tickets for the Sooners’ season opener are already sold out.
August 11, 2025

NBA Christmas Slate Leans on LeBron, Steph; Bets on Flagg

The Lakers, Warriors, and Rockets are all in action.