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The NFL announced a massive media rights deal on Thursday that could be worth in excess of $113 billion.
Roger Goodell issued a statement in accordance with the announcement:
“These new media deals will provide our fans even greater access to the games they love,” Goodell said, via Jabari Young and Alex Sherman of CNBC. “We’re proud to grow our partnerships with the most innovative media companies in the market. Along with our recently completed labor agreement with the NFLPA, these distribution agreements bring an unprecedented era of stability to the league and will permit us to continue to grow and improve our game.”
The league is renewing broadcast with all primary partners and folding in Amazon Prime as the exclusive carrier for Thursday Night Football.
CNBC reported the deal marks the first time a streaming service will get exclusive rights to a full package of games. Amazon is reportedly paying $1 billion a year.
Meanwhile, FOX will apparently save money with TNF heading to Amazon Prime, while Disney is reportedly the most lucrative of all the broadcast partners. Disney is set to spend an estimated $2.7 billion annually in order to carry 23 games per season, an increase from 17 under the previous deal.
Biggest change in broadcast deals, without question, is a streaming service (Amazon) landing an exclusive contract.
Second is ESPN adding ABC into MNF, getting into the Super Bowl rotation, and having negotiated for the league to flex games into/out of MNF.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 18, 2021
NBCUniversal retains the rights to Sunday Night Football, which will also be available on the Peacock streaming service.
Nothing changes in terms of the playoff viewing landscape, aside from Disney getting an additional divisional round game. FOX will still broadcast the NFC side, with CBS carrying AFC playoff games.
Incorporating streaming was clearly a priority for the NFL and the networks, resulting in a new partnership through this decade and into the next.