The NFL has thrown down the gauntlet, but with a velvet covering. It wants to start talking with current broadcast partners about increasing their rights fee payments now, not in 2033, or even in 2029, when an opt-out clause lets the league exit all deals with broadcasters.

The trade-off is that if programmers renegotiate their contracts now, the NFL will throw out the 2029 opt-out clause that will allow its rights to hit the free market. The league wants to carve out a package of games from existing deals to sell to streaming services like Netflix, but there is growing resistance at the highest levels of government to putting more NFL games behind the streaming paywall. Will Netflix get a chance to grow its NFL package, as desired?

Everything you need to know about Netflix’s pursuit of the NFL

Does Netflix already have NFL games?

Yes, Netflix acquired the rights to stream a doubleheader of NFL games on Christmas Day. The deal runs through Christmas 2026, but there’s a good chance Netflix will attempt to extend it into the future.

What NFL games could Netflix go after in 2026?

Netflix has already signaled its intention to pursue an additional holiday NFL game, as well as one of the international games the league has for sale this offseason. Acquiring both would double the size of its NFL bundle from two to four games, assuming it can also lock up an extension for its Christmas Day rights.

What obstacles could prevent Netflix from adding NFL games?

There is building resistance in government circles to putting more NFL games behind the streaming paywall. The league’s linear partners have been lobbying hard to attract more governmental attention to whether the NFL is engaging in unlawful behavior by selling games to streamers, and those attempts have paid off.

The FCC is taking public comments on access to sports through mid-April, and the Department of Justice has launched an investigation into whether the league has engaged in anticompetitive tactics. If the NFL feels the need to lower the pressure a little, it may opt not to sell additional games to streamers for a few more years.

How much will Netflix have to pay for more NFL games?

Various reports indicate that Netflix paid $150 million per season for its current NFL package. Considering the league will want not only a raise for continuing its existing rights deal with Netflix, but will want extra revenue to license additional games to the streamer going forward. With that in mind, Netflix’s pricetag for NFL games could climb to $500 million per season or more, if it gets all the games it wants.

Sign Up

netflix.com

Netflix

Netflix is a leading subscription-based video streaming service that offers on-demand access to an extensive library of over 3,000 movies, 2,000+ TV shows, and a growing collection of acclaimed Netflix originals. Renowned for producing groundbreaking content, Netflix has become a cultural powerhouse with hit originals like “Stranger Things,” “Wednesday,” “Squid Game,” “The Crown,” “Tiger King,” “Bridgerton,” “The Witcher,” and “Black Mirror.”

…

The platform constantly updates its catalog, introducing fresh content alongside timeless classics and international hits. Netflix’s commitment to storytelling has also earned critical acclaim, with award-winning exclusives such as “Roma,” “Marriage Story,” “The Power of the Dog,” “Mank,” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” In 2023, their animated film “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, further solidifying Netflix’s reputation for high-quality content.

Recently, Netflix has expanded beyond standard movies and TV titles with the addition of video podcasts, and is also exploring a digital store that would offer third-party streamers within the app.

Netflix offers three plans – stream on 2 devices in HD with the “Standard with Ads” ($8.99) plan, on 2 devices in HD with the “Standard” ($19.99) plan, and 4 devices in up to 4K on the “Premium” ($26.99) plan.

Sign Up

$8.99+ / month

netflix.com