• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 20, 2025

How the NFL and TV Partners are Treating the Presidential Election

  • League and TV networks have been pushing get-out-the-vote efforts.
  • But networks are leery of extensively covering the candidates.
rams
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Get out and V-O-T-E.

That was the message coming from the NFL and its media partners over the past few weeks as the country raced toward Election Day.

Over recent weeks, a growing number of sports voices have made it clear who they’re voting for. Both President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden aired campaign commercials on Sunday NFL pregame shows, including “Fox NFL Sunday” and CBS Sports’ “The NFL Today.”

Sports giants from NFL to ESPN have been criticized for becoming overly political in recent months. 

Sports TV networks, in particular, have been walking on eggshells leading up to the U.S. presidential election. Despite Trump’s frequent criticism of the NFL, the league and its networks have limited themselves to get-out-the-vote efforts rather than pushing specific candidates or causes.

During the last election, an estimated 40% of eligible voters did not turn in a ballot. Here’s a rundown on how the NFL and its TV networks treated Election Day:

— NFL: Under the league’s “NFL Votes” initiative, 15 teams will open their stadiums as polling locations on Nov. 3. More than 90% of NFL players are registered to vote, according to the NFL Players Association. 

All NFL, NFLPA, and team facilities will be closed Tuesday “to ensure that every member of the NFL family has an opportunity to exercise the right to vote and may safely support voting,” the league said.

During Sunday’s NFL game coverage, viewers saw the word “Vote” prominently stenciled in the end zones of the Green Bay Packers’ Lambeau Field and the Baltimore Ravens’ M&T Bank Stadium. 

Trump Looks Again to Non-Traditional Sports Outlets as Election Nears

Jason Whitlock of Outkick talked return of Big Ten football with President…
October 21, 2020

— ESPN: The Worldwide Leader in Sports has been airing a public service announcement to promote voting among its viewers. 

The spot aims to drive viewers to iamavoter.com, where they can get info on registration and voting. “This election is your chance to be heard and decide who represents YOU,” says the spot.

Previously, ESPN.com published a series of stories on how team owners donate to U.S. political campaigns. 

Since 2015, sports owners have donated nearly $47 million to federal elections campaigns. That includes $10 million to Republican causes vs. $1.9 million for Democratic causes during the 2020 election cycle.

Another article warned some owners are hiding their donations to Republican candidates to avoid a backlash from their own players, staffers, and fans.

ESPN’s tiptoeing around Trump vs. Biden is partly policy. The network’s social media guidelines state commentators “should refrain from overt partisanship or endorsement of particular candidates, politicians or political parties.”

NFL TV Tracker: A Weekly Look at NFL Viewership

The NFL suffered its first TV drop in three years, as average…
January 7, 2021

— Fox Sports: The “Fox NFL Sunday” pregame show aired a feature narrated by actor and singer Leslie Odom Jr. 

The piece chronicled the 100-year struggle for voting rights led by the slain Martin Luther King Jr. and others in the Black community. 

“When you fill out your ballot, remember how many heroes sacrificed their lives so that we could head to the polls this week,” Odom said.

Fox’s Howie Long credited pro athletes across all sports for helping drive the surge of early voting across the country. 

“It’s been fascinating to watch America really get engaged in this election year,” added host Curt Menefee.

Fox also had some fun with mock attack ads by Jay Glazer and Michael Strahan on who would induct Jimmy Johnson into the Pro Football Hall of Fame — “You know that gap in Strahan’s teeth. It’s fake. Weird right,” asked one fake Glazer spot.

— CBS Sports: Nate Burleson of “The NFL Today” interviewed Matthew A. Cherry, the former NFL player turned Oscar-winning co-director of “Hair Love.” 

The African-American filmmaker urged all CBS Sports viewers to vote. 

“Sometimes it’s bigger than just you. You have to think about the generations of people that are going to come after you that this election is going to impact,” Cherry said.

— NBC Sports: Mike Tirico, of “Football Night in America,” reported that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and team owners from the Hunt family have joined together to raise money for 40 voting machines at Arrowhead Stadium.

NBC also aired an “NFL Votes” PSA.  “Vote today,” says Commissioner Roger Goodell in the spot.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jannik Sinner’s $6M Saudi Payday Tops Any Grand Slam Purse

The other five participants received $1.5 million.
@chef__tezz/Instagram

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.

Featured Today

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Apr 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of an NBA basketball and backyard and NBA logo before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center.

NBA Tries to Solve Fragmentation Issue It Helped Create

A new “Tap to Watch” feature will direct fans to live games.
Aug 30, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Brandon Inniss (1) attempts to make a catch over Texas Longhorns defensive back Graceson Littleton (29) in the first half at Ohio Stadium.
October 16, 2025

SEC Games Help ABC Dominate College Football Ratings at Midseason

Texas–Ohio State on Fox remains the most-watched game of the season.
Mar 12, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; General view of ESPN broadcast camera during a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.
October 16, 2025

ESPN’s New NBA Segment Resists Hot Takes

LeBron James tweeted in favor of the new segment.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Oct 10, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with teammates after game four of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center.
October 14, 2025

WNBA Finals Draws 1.5M Viewers, Second-Highest Series on ESPN

The four-game series averaged 1.5 million viewers.
MLS
October 14, 2025

MLS Publishes Unchecked AI-Generated Game Recaps

Humans are not reviewing the articles for accuracy.
Micah Parsons
exclusive
October 14, 2025

NFL Scorigami Creator Blames Glitches on Twitter Platform Changes

The bot has been glitching all NFL season, and fans have noticed.
Sep 5, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia embraces after their match in the semifinal of the men’s singles at the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
October 13, 2025

Six Kings Slam Returns With Record $6M Prize, Netflix Deal

The Six Kings Slam is held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.