Friday, April 17, 2026

NFL Stays on Offense with New Media

  • The NFL is not resting on its laurels after securing $113 billion in media deals.
  • The league inked a new deal with Twitter and is exploring investor opportunities.
football_player_tackling_another_player
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

In March, the NFL signed $113 billion in broadcast rights deals. Turns out it was just getting started.

The league renewed its deal with Twitter last week amid its ongoing exploration of new media opportunities and sponsorships. The league has partnered with Twitter since 2013.

Under the agreement, the league will host 20 sponsored conversations on Twitter Spaces — the app’s live audio platform — during the 2021 season. The league partnered with Clubhouse in April for the league’s annual player draft.

The move underscores the NFL’s recent efforts to reshape its media business. 

  • The NFL Media Group has cut back on staff as it slims down costs to make itself more attractive to investors, Front Office Sports reported on Wednesday.
  • The league tapped Goldman Sachs to explore various options for its media assets, including bringing in investment partners on the NFL Network and NFL RedZone.

“As the whole world of communications and digital media changes, we want to find a partner who can further help us maximize the reach and potential the NFL assets represent,” New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft told the Wall Street Journal.

The league is also taking bids on its Sunday Ticket package of out-of-market games, with both Disney and Apple reportedly interested.

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

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) heads for the locker room after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 14 game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. The Bills overcame a halftime deficit to win 39-34.

Joe Flacco Sounds Alarm on 18-Game Schedule

The veteran QB warns such expansion could hurt the playoffs.

Ex-Alabama Player Used NFL Disguises in $20M Fraud, Feds Say

Prosecutors say Luther Davis posed as three NFL players.

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.
Brandon Marshall Portfolio Players

Brandon Marshall Nearly Quit FS1 Over Nick Wright Argument

Marshall tells FOS he took issue with Wright’s lack of “take integrity.”

Featured Today

blake griffin

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.
Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports
April 10, 2026

Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall

The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.
April 9, 2026

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.
April 8, 2026

Why Did FIFA Do a Deal With an Obscure Prediction Market?

The product is scheduled to launch on Thursday.
A smartphone showing the Netflix logo is held in front of a television displaying the Netflix home screen with Top 10 content rows in Paris, Ile de France, France, February 28, 2026. The scene illustrates video on demand streaming and second screen viewing on connected devices.

Netflix: There’s ‘Opportunity to Expand the Relationship’ With NFL

The streaming giant touts big results from its live sports content.
LIV Golf livestream
April 16, 2026

LIV Golf Loses Mexico Livestream for Nearly Three Hours

The league’s broadcast feeds were down for more than an hour.
Apr 13, 2026; New York, NY, USA; Azzi Fudd poses for a photo on the orange carpet before the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
April 16, 2026

Wings Shut Down Question to Azzi Fudd About Paige Bueckers Relationship

The Wings selected Fudd first overall earlier this week.
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
Apr 25, 2024; Avondale, Louisiana, USA; Kevin Kisner reacts to his shot from the 14th tee during the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
April 16, 2026

NBC’s Kevin Kisner Apologizes for Torching CBS Masters Coverage

Kisner admitted he “crossed the line” with his now-viral rant.
The Miz Stephen A. Smith WWE
April 16, 2026

ESPN Going All Out for WWE WrestleMania in Las Vegas

There has been plenty of crossover between ESPN and WWE this week.
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Sep 5, 2025; Sao Paulo, BRAZIL; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) in the second half during a NFL game at Corinthians Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jean Carniel/Reuters via Imagn Images
exclusive
April 16, 2026

NFL, YouTube in Advanced Talks for 5-Game Package

The deal has yet to be finalized.
Mar 28, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
April 15, 2026

NBA Viewership Up 16% in Year 1 of New Media Deal

The league faced heavy scrutiny last year for its declining ratings.