NFL Stays on Offense with New Media

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.