Disney and the NFL have reached a broad agreement on a new media rights deal that will see ESPN renew “MNF” and ABC return to the Super Bowl rotation for the first time since ‘06, according to sources. Contracts still have not been signed, but the two sides have smoothed over enough differences that a deal is very close at hand.
Sources said Disney is expected to pay an increase of up to 30% from its current deal, which based on an average of $2B per year would equate to around $2.6B. An agreement comes after news leaked last week of a stalemate between the two sides, which initially were so far apart in price that some ESPNers questioned whether to cut a deal.
When reached for comment, NFL Media VP/Communications Alex Riethmiller said, “The report is incorrect and as we don’t negotiate through the media, there will be no further comment.” ESPN declined to comment.
The increase that Disney will pay is far below the other networks -- as Fox, CBS and NBC all are seeing the average annual value of their contracts double. ESPN is paying the highest rights fee in the current deal and the increase aligns Disney’s NFL package closer to its broadcast competitors.
Disney will pay more than other media companies for its “MNF” package, and the network will retain the highly coveted highlight rights, which provide year-round programming for ESPN’s studio shows. An undetermined number of regular-season games will be simulcast on ABC, which will produce a Super Bowl for the first time since ‘06.
Disney was the last linchpin for the NFL, which already had reached broad agreements with CBS, Fox and NBC. Media execs are optimistic that the league formally will announce all of its media deals at some point next week.
The new deals will look a lot like the old deals, with CBS and Fox keeping their Sunday afternoon packages and NBC keeping “SNF.” Sources said that CBS, Fox and NBC will be paying around $2B per year for their packages, a massive increase essentially doubling their current deals.
The biggest change will be with “TNF,” which will move from Fox to Amazon Prime and NFL Network. It is unclear what Amazon would be paying.
-2021 will start the 17 game season.
-Extra game is afc/nfc with all afc teams hosting - next year nfc hosts.
-1 bye wk stays.
-Super Bowl LVI in LA then obviously pushed back 1 wk to Feb 13.
-Wildcard game on monday night.
-2 Christmas games - SWEET !!
The Washington Football Team is expected to part ways with QB Alex Smith in the coming days, sources tell me and @KimJonesSports. The AP Comeback Player of the Year has said he still wants to play, and at age 36 may have a chance to do so.
I love having all the games...it makes the end of the 1PM and 4PM timeslots a lot more exciting when you can bounce around and catch any wild endings.
Oh I’m sure a lot of people would still buy the full package, but I’m thinking a whole lot more who never bought Sunday Ticket would buy smaller packages if they were available.
I'd love to fire up Prime one day and just be able to buy the entire NFL season, or just a division or team, and also be able to buy individual games if I wanted to. Take my money.
Oh I’m sure a lot of people would still buy the full package, but I’m thinking a whole lot more who never bought Sunday Ticket would buy smaller packages if they were available.
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