• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 9, 2025

NFL Seeks Partners to Expand Media Reach

  • The NFL is exploring partnerships with the help of Goldman Sachs for its major media assets, namely the NFL Network and Redzone.
  • The league wants to expand on its direct-to-consumer offerings.
roger_goodell
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

The biggest sports league in the U.S. wants to get bigger, and it’s hiring Goldman Sachs to help.

The NFL is considering ways to grow its media reach, including partnering with major media and technology companies. Goldman Sachs has been tapped to advise the league on the matter.

“We are not selling. We are looking for investment partners,” Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told The Wall Street Journal.

Goldman Sachs has been at the center of the media M&A market this year, acting as advisor on two of the sector’s largest transactions: Verizon selling its media arm to Apollo and AT&T merging their media assets with Discovery.

This latest move comes on the heels of the NFL securing $113 billion in broadcast rights deals over 11 seasons.

  • Talks are reportedly focused on the league’s major subscription-based media properties, like the the NFL Network and RedZone, as well as NFL.com.
  • NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told league staff in a memo that the league plans to leverage live games, major events like the NFL Draft, and “a myriad of opportunities around legalized sports betting.”

In April, Goldman Sachs estimated that the sports betting market will grow to $39 billion by 2033. The investment bank foresees up to 50 million sports bettors in the U.S. when the industry reaches maturity.

“We’re only going to do it if it’s the right fit,” New England Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft said about potential investments. “It has to be clear that it’s someone who can manage our resources better than we can.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

Fox Extends Erin Andrews, Charissa Thompson Contracts Ahead of NFL Season

Changes are coming at Fox, but Andrews and Thompson stay put.

Texas Sports Teams, Leagues Donate Over $5M to Flood Relief

NFL, MLB, and NBA teams in Texas donate to flood recovery efforts.

Chiefs Delay Stadium Decision As Kansas Dangles Dome Dreams

Kansas legislators extend bonds for potential Chiefs and Royals facilities.
exclusive

CBS, NFL Host James Brown Discussing Contract Extension

The 74-year-old Brown has hosted a record 10 Super Bowl pregame shows.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
Paige Bueckers
exclusive

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

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.
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.
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.
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
July 2, 2025

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
Leo Messi
June 27, 2025

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
June 24, 2025

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.
June 23, 2025

NBA Finals Game 7 Is Most-Watched Since 2019, but Series Drops 9%

Game 7 drew 16.35 million viewers, the most-watched NBA game since 2019.