The National Football League's current media rights agreements, approved in 2021 and valued at $110 billion over 11 years covering the 2023 through 2033 seasons, generate approximately $10 billion annually for the league.[1][2]

The NFL notified broadcast and streaming partners in October 2023 of its intent to initiate sales for additional media rights packages beginning with the 2026 season.[2][3] Media reporter John Ourand wrote in Puck that league officials now aim to complete these negotiations before Week 1 in early September 2026, ahead of a previously discussed fall 2024 window.[4]

Existing partners including Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube are expected to participate alongside potential new entrants, with no reported opposition to early extensions or expansions despite contracts running through 2033.[2][3][4]

Former NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman, a three-time Pro Bowl selection and 2005 Defensive Rookie of the Year who played for the San Diego Chargers from 2005-2009 and Buffalo Bills in 2010, endorsed an 18-game regular season on OutKick's "Don't @ Me with Dan Dakich" podcast.[5][6]

"As long as the players are compensated for these games... I’m all for it," Merriman said, adding that the NFL would likely double current TV rights fees in upcoming deals and that fans would continue paying for expanded content.[5][6]

The current collective bargaining agreement, ratified by the NFL Players Association in March 2021 following 2020 negotiations, expires after the 2030 season on March 15, 2031 and caps the regular season at 17 games.[1][7] Any expansion to 18 games would require a new CBA or opt-out provision.

The Federal Communications Commission sought public comment in July 2024 on the shift of live sports, including NFL games, from broadcast to streaming platforms amid rising costs.[8] For the 2024 season, comprehensive NFL viewing via services like NFL Sunday Ticket ($349.99 new standalone), Peacock ($5.99/month), Netflix (select games), and others totaled around $500-$800 depending on bundles.[9]

Sources

1. NFL.com
   NFL owners approve groundbreaking $110B media rights deal
   March 22, 2021
   https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-owners-approve-groundbreaking-110b-media-rights-deal-0ap3000001617880
2. NFLPA
   Collective Bargaining Agreement
   March 15, 2021 (accessed October 2024)
   https://nflpa.com/posts/the-new-collective-bargaining-agreement-march-15-2021
3. Sports Business Journal
   NFL to partners: New media-rights sales process begins in 2024 for 2026 and beyond
   October 11, 2023
   https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2023/10/11/nfl-media-rights-notice/
4. Puck
   NFL Media Deals: Everything Is Accelerating
   September 10, 2024
   https://puck.news/nfl-media-deals-everything-accelerating/
5. OutKick
   Shawne Merriman backs NFL expanding to 18 games if players compensated
   October 2024 (episode date)
   https://www.outkick.com/dont-me/shawne-merriman-nfl-18-game-season-tv-deals-dan-dakich
6. Fox News Digital
   Shawne Merriman on NFL TV deals, 18-game season (article by Scott Thompson)
   October 2024
   https://www.foxnews.com/sports/former-nfl-star-merriman-18-game-season-tv-deals
7. Sports Business Journal
   NFL CBA explainer: Key dates and provisions
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2020/03/15/Labor-and-Agents/NFL-CBA.aspx
8. FCC.gov
   FCC Seeks Comment on Sports Blackout Rules
   July 18, 2024
   https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-seeks-comment-sports-blackout-rules-gen-2
9. The Verge
   The infuriating cost of watching NFL games without cable in 2024
   September 5, 2024
   https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/5/24236487/nfl-streaming-cost-cable-sunday-ticket-youtube-peacock