The NFL could start renegotiating its media rights offers as quickly as 2026, 4 years forward of the present settlement’s opt-out clause, Commissioner Roger Goodell advised CNBC in an unique interview.
A brand new media rights deal could doubtlessly add billions of {dollars} to the league’s coffers. The league wants settlement from its present media companions — Disney, Comcast’s NBCUniversal, Paramount, Amazon and Fox — to start out discussions on any new deal.
The NFL signed an 11-year, $111 billion media rights deal in 2021 that incorporates a league opt-out clause after the 2029-30 season for all of its media companions besides Disney, which has one additional yr of rights.
Both sides could also be incentivized to strike new rights agreements if it means the league can enhance annual income and media companions can prolong management of NFL rights for years to return.
“I think our partners would want to sit down and talk to us at any time, and we continue to dialogue with them. I like that opportunity,” Goodell mentioned. “Obviously it’s not going to happen this year. But it could happen as early as next year. That could happen.”
NFL programming is essentially the most watched content material on conventional tv. Last yr, 72 of the top 100 applications had been NFL video games, in line with knowledge collected by Nielsen. The yr earlier than, 93 of the top 100 had been NFL video games.
“The reason why we felt so strongly about the option is the landscape is changing. It could be a long-term deal with the benefit of having that stability and security of it. But I think the reality of it is it changes so quickly that you want to have the ability to move. I think those options are going to give us a lot of flexibility to potentially go earlier,” mentioned Goodell.
Other main skilled leagues, such because the NBA and NHL, have dramatically elevated their TV income within the final yr by putting new offers with media companions. Goodell admitted to watching different latest sports activities’ media offers and mentioned, compared, the NFL is leaving cash on the desk.
Representatives for Amazon, Disney’s ESPN, Fox, NBCUniversal and Paramount-owned CBS declined to remark.
Accelerating to 2026
Starting media talks sooner could also be difficult within the early a part of 2026 from a regulatory perspective, as ESPN has a pending take care of the NFL that might see the league acquire a 10% stake within the community. Renegotiating a media rights deal whereas that acquisition continues to be pending could current a battle of curiosity either side wish to keep away from.
If that deal goes via, ESPN could also be extra open to play ball with the NFL on a future media deal given the league’s minority possession.
Another delay to expedited renegotiations could come courtesy of a possible 18th week of regular-season play. The league might want the extra week earlier than it locks in new media offers, however such a change would require approval by the NFL Players Association, which at the moment solely has an interim leader.
The NFL will wish to weigh any new take care of flexibility so as to add new companions, resembling YouTube and Netflix. Both firms have now carried video games for the NFL. YouTube streamed a Week 1 recreation this yr, and Netflix made its NFL debut on Christmas Day final yr and can proceed that custom this season with two extra video games.
Accelerating new media offers for skilled soccer could have an effect on MLB as properly.
That league plans on renegotiating its media rights on the finish of the 2028 season. If the NFL strikes first and scores massive will increase from media companions, it is attainable media firms will really feel extra constrained to spend on different sports activities. It’s additionally attainable MLB could use a big NFL enhance as proof for why its content material ought to get a much bigger bump in charges as properly, given the worth inherent in dwell sports activities the place commercials cannot be skipped.
A brand new deal for the NFL could additionally enhance the league’s wage cap in future seasons, giving groups extra money to spend on gamers and doubtlessly resulting in roster growth.
NFL workforce valuations are additionally largely tied to the league’s TV offers. Franchise valuations have soared lately, with the common NFL workforce now value $7.65 billion, in line with CNBC’s Official 2025 NFL Team Valuations — up 18% from final yr.
A big bump in income would seemingly hold that momentum going.
Disclosure: Comcast is the dad or mum firm of NBCUniversal, which owns CNBC. Versant would turn into the brand new dad or mum firm of CNBC upon Comcast’s deliberate spinoff of Versant.