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NFL Signals Open-Market Sales as It Courts Nontraditional Bidders for Live Games

The league is inviting interest from new bidders to test pricing power before accelerated negotiations begin later this year.

Overview

  • Media chief Hans Schroeder told CNBC the NFL will hold talks with companies outside its core broadcasters about carrying a live game.
  • Schroeder indicated at least some game rights will be offered on the open market as part of upcoming media-rights discussions.
  • The NFL will play a record nine international games next season, and the league may package part of that slate for sale as soon as next year.
  • An approved ESPNNFL equity deal freed four NFL Network windows that the league can now shop to interested partners.
  • Early conversations with incumbents such as Disney, Paramount Global, NBCUniversal and Amazon are expected later this year, while owners continue to float an 18-game season that would require NFLPA agreement.