• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 15, 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

MLB Home Run Derby Draws 5.7M Viewers on ESPN, Up 5%

ESPN reverses the trend from last year and registers audience growth.
Jul 14, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the 2025 Home Run Derby at Truist Park.

MLB Enters Crucial Second Half With Big Questions Looming

Media, labor, and Cal Raleigh are among the top second-half storylines.
Cal Raleigh

Home Run Derby Came Down to a 1-Inch Hawk-Eye Measurement

One expert is skeptical that the measurement could be that precise.

WNBA Hits Fourth-Highest ABC Viewership With Clark-Bueckers Duel

Clark missed the first Fever vs. Wings game with an injury.

Featured Today

May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
Brittney Griner and Caitlin Clark
exclusive

‘Good Morning America’ Will Air From WNBA All-Star in First

The All-Star Game’s relevance has exploded with the league in recent years.
F1
July 11, 2025

F1 ‘Poised’ to Choose Apple Money Over ESPN Reach

Formula One looks to be changing lanes.
NBC Sports
exclusive
July 14, 2025

NBC Hiring Ex-Hawks Exec Grant Liffmann As NBA Front Office Insider

Liffmann spent the last three years with Atlanta after covering the Warriors.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek of Poland at her on court interview after winning her match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
July 10, 2025

Wimbledon Set to Deliver Strong Finals Matchup for ESPN

Novak Djokovic is still in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive
July 8, 2025

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.
Feb 7, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies center Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts after his basket against the St. John's Red Storm in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.
July 8, 2025

After Decade Apart, ESPN and Big East Rekindle Media Rights Relationship

After a decade-plus apart, the network will stream hundreds of conference events.
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Mexico forward Marcel Ruiz (14) heads the ball in front of United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) in the second half during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium.
July 7, 2025

USMNT Struggles Still Produce Big Gold Cup Ratings for Fox

The U.S. team’s recent issues culminated in a loss to Mexico.