Sunday, November 1, 2026

NFL Goes Hollywood, Strikes Deal with ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Studio

  • The NFL is linking up with Skydance Media to produce documentary and fictional content.
  • The league is also investing in its sports division. Skydance was recently valued at $400 billion.
Bills receiver Gabe Davis completes diving catch in front of NFL camera man before game
Jamie Germano / Imagn

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

The NFL is turning to makers of a hit action movie for its next wellspring of content.

The league struck a deal with “Top Gun: Maverick” producer Skydance Media to create documentaries, as well as fictional movies and shows.

  • The league hopes to develop broadly accessible content and a complement to HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” which follows one NFL team per season.
  • The NFL will make a substantial investment in Skydance Sports.
  • Skydance was valued at more than $4 billion on a $400 million funding round last month. RedBird Capital Partners, KKR, and Tencent Holdings participated in the round. 

More Than Football

While the league itself is expected to be the core source of content for the venture, NFL chief media and business officer Brian Rolapp indicated that the team-up will explore other sports as well.

Skydance Sports, which launched in September 2021, signed a deal in October with soccer superstar Kylian Mbappe and his production company Zebra Valley to produce scripted and unscripted content.

The division also recently inked Ben Affleck to direct a film for Amazon Prime Video about Sonny Vaccaro, a key operator in signing Michael Jordan to launch NIke’s Air Jordan sneaker line.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

First at FOS

Caleb Williams Hiding Cleat Logos ‘Makes Sense’ After Fines, CEO Says

Close to 100 NFL players wear Caddix cleats without endorsement deals.
First at FOS

Tomlin Could Be Hottest NFL Coaching Candidate—If He Wants It

His broadcasting success could outweigh lucrative NFL coaching offers.

NFL’s International Games Surge As Pregame Show Ratings Slip

NFL Network has one more Sunday morning game this season.

Multiple Sports Owners Were Major Backers of Elizabeth Holmes

Patriots owner Robert Kraft invested $1 million in the failed biotech startup.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/30/26 – First WNBA Game 7, Utah Targets Kalshi Founders, Cowboys Cheerleaders Unionize

0:00

Featured Today

How Injuries Hit Pro Marathoners in the Wallet

Staying healthy can get expensive—quickly.
Football - NFL - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 18, 2026 The necklace of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan outside the stadium before the match
October 21, 2026

Die-Hard Sports Fandom Has Reached the Afterlife

Will fans pay $6,000 to memorialize their team loyalty?
October 20, 2026

Why Europe Is Pumping Out NBA Superstars

The NBA and NCAA have an increasingly European flavor.
October 15, 2026

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
ernie johnson

Ernie Johnson Wants ‘Inside the NBA’ to Continue Without Him

Johnson said he doesn’t want to be “blamed” for ending the show.
October 29, 2026

Skydance Shakes Up CBS, TNT Sports C-Suites After Takeover

Skydance is beginning to remake CBS and TNT.
Nadia DeMarinis/FOS
October 29, 2026

Brian Kelly Not Closing Door on Return to Coaching

Kelly tells FOS he’s willing to listen about a return to the sidelines.
Sponsored

How the New York Yankees Stay Game-Ready with Sage Intacct

See how Sage Intacct helps the Yankees streamline finances and plan for the future.
Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Sal Frelick (10) watches his RBI double during the fifth inning of Game 3 of the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays Monday, Oct. 26, 2026 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
October 29, 2026

Why Fox Downplayed World Series Game 3 Ratings

A Brewers rout and the sports equinox drove viewership far lower.
October 28, 2026

McAfee Details FBI ‘GameDay’ Guidance After Kirk Shooting

He confirmed an FOS story that FBI protected him from assassination attempts.
Apr 3, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ernie Johnson looks on during a practice session ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
October 28, 2026

Ernie Johnson Leaving ‘Inside the NBA’ After 37 Years

He’ll still be around for March Madness and other projects for TNT and CBS.
Sep 14, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Broadcaster Pat McAfee prior to a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium.
October 27, 2026

ESPN Stands by McAfee’s ‘Very Real and Valid’ Concerns

An ESPN spokeswoman says the network takes all threats very seriously.