Is CBS Set to Lose the NFL? Roger Goodell on New Paramount Ownership, More Games on Netflix, More
Is CBS Set to Lose the NFL? Roger Goodell on New Paramount Ownership, More Games on Netflix, More
At this week’s Sun Valley conference, NFL chief Roger Goodell said he had a close eye on the Paramount/Skydance merger, as well as the possibility of more games for Netflix.
The 2024 NFL season is a bit less than nine weeks away, which gives league commissioner Roger Goodell time to live it up at the so-called “summer camp for billionaires” in Sun Valley, Idaho this week. Allen & Co.’s annual Sun Valley conference brings together media moguls, sports executives, and even some political figures, and as a regular attendee, Goodell has been met with a flurry of questions. On Thursday, he spoke publicly on a wide range of topics, including the league’s relationship with CBS now that Paramount looks to be changing hands, the NFL Sunday Ticket class-action lawsuit verdict, and the possibility of more live games on Netflix in the future.
Key Details:
- The ownership change at Paramount Global allows the NFL to renegotiate its deal with CBS.
- Netflix’s global audience was of particular appeal to the league for its Christmas Day package.
- Goodell said the league disagrees with the Sunday Ticket verdict, but will wait for the legal process to play out.
When asked about the league’s relationship with CBS and its parent company Paramount Global — as well as the forthcoming merger with Skydance Media — Goodell was complimentary but stopped short of committing to its contract with Paramount. The ownership change at Paramount Global allows the league to renegotiate its deal with CBS, and while that seems unlikely, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the league could leave its long-term partner.
“We’re obviously paying close attention to the process,” Goodell said. “We know Skydance. They’ve done a terrific job with our relationship. So we’ll look at the structure of the deal. We’ll see how it impacts us. We’ll see how it impacts our business. And we’ll make the best decision for the NFL at that point.”
It helps that Skydance has partnered with NFL Films for a global multi-sport production studio and that CBS delivered a record audience for last year’s Super Bowl. Still, if Skydance plans to make any big post-merger changes to the network, it could prompt the NFL to call for a new round of negotiations, particularly considering the massive raise in rights fees the NBA is about to collect. The NFL is the most popular product on TV, and the league expects to be paid for its rights commensurately. CBS currently pays $2 billion per season for its Sunday afternoon package of NFL games and streams each in-market contest on Paramount+.
Ultimately, it is unlikely that Goodell would pull the NFL off of CBS unless there’s an incredibly compelling reason. The league wants its games available on over-the-air broadcast networks in order to reach the largest possible audience, and Goodell noted that using such channels is just the league’s way of “going where the fans are.”
Will Netflix Get More NFL Games in the Future?
Goodell also had a chance to speak about Netflix winning the rights to stream live NFL games on Christmas Day in 2024, 2025, and 2026. He cited Netflix’s global reach as an important factor in those negotiations, which aligns with the NFL’s desire to expand its worldwide audience.
“Netflix has close to 300 million subscribers on a global basis, which was really attractive for us in being able to reach that global fan,” the commissioner said. “As you know, international is a huge initiative of ours. And I think they want to really make this an event like Christmas Day. And we think that’s important, just like Thanksgiving.”
If all goes well, the deal could open the door for Netflix to secure a bigger package of games in the future. The media landscape is evolving rapidly, and the league could leave its broadcasting contracts as early as 2030 if it chooses. Would Netflix try to win a larger package of games in the next round of negotiations? It seems as if the NFL would be amenable to sending more games to the service, especially due to the streaming giant’s massive international footprint.
“Maybe,” Goodell said when asked about the prospect of more NFL games on Netflix. “We believe that the game is going to be incredibly popular globally, we just have to bring more games.”
Where Does Roger Goodell Stand on the NFL Sunday Ticket Lawsuit Verdict?
Goodell was also asked about the verdict in the NFL Sunday Ticket lawsuit. He gave a fairly predictable answer, saying that while the league didn’t agree with the ruling, they would take advantage of the legal avenues available to them. Last week, the NFL filed its first motion to try and get the ruling changed or to get a new trial.
“We obviously disagree with the jury verdict,” Goodell said. “And we are committed, obviously, to following the legal process. It’s a long process. We’re aware of that. But we feel very strongly about our position, our policies, particularly on media, that we make our sport available to the broadest possible audience. Sunday Ticket is just a complimentary product. So we’re committed to following the litigation, all the way, and making sure that we get this right.”
The NFL’s presence on streaming services continues to grow, as this year, games will be available on Peacock, Prime Video, and ESPN+ in addition to the aforementioned Paramount+ and Netflix. The commissioner’s comments from Sun Valley this week point to the NFL’s ongoing commitment to broadcast channels, but the future is coming fast, and the next few years could see some dramatic shifts in NFL game distribution.
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