The NFL remains the most valuable product in all of television - by far. And the league knows it.
The league currently has TV rights deals with ABC/ESPN, FOX, CBS, NBC and several streaming platforms, like Amazon Prime, YouTube TV and even Netflix. But the league is reportedly considering re-negotiating some of its deals.
According to reports, the NFL is in the process of re-negotiating its deals well before its contractual opt-outs hit following the 2029 and 2030 seasons. CBS, for example, currently pays $2.1 billion for its NFL rights package. The network could end up paying a 50 percent increase, pushing it past $3 billion.
ESPN, meanwhile, could have to do the same. However, the Worldwide Leader in Sports is reportedly growing frustrated with the NFL.
Oct 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Hall of Fame quterback Troy Aikman stands with his Monday Night Football Broadcast announcer Joe Buck before a game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images © Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
ESPN might not agree to an increase.
"The increasing quality of teams on Amazon's Thursday Night Football is upsetting ESPN executives. As a result, ESPN may not agree to a percentage increase comparable to the likely 50-60% jump CBS is poised to pay, according to a report by CNBC," Awful Announcing writes.
CNBC reported that ESPN could have to pay more than $4 billion.
A 50% increase would mean ESPN would pay more than $4 billion for that package - a number Disney would likely balk at," the report reads.
ESPN's issue with the current situation
ESPN reportedly believes that the "Thursday Night Football" games have gotten better from a matchup standpoint, while "Monday Night Football" has not improved as much.
"Even if ESPN and the NFL are unable to reach a new agreement, ESPN's current NFL contract is locked in through the 2030 season no matter what. That gives ESPN some leverage with negotiations. Of course, the NFL has lots of leverage too. It could continue to reduce the quality of ESPN's Monday Night Football games. It could also place its playoff inventory in less favorable windows after ESPN's guaranteed Monday night Wild Card timeslot expired last season," Awful Announcing shared.
It could be a fascinating couple of years in the NFL negotiation world.
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