Why the NFL’s desire for a new media deal hurts the NHL (and MLB and NBA)
July 8, 2025
Why the NFL’s desire for a new media deal hurts the NHL (and MLB and NBA)
6 comments
In summary, the NFL is going to renegotiate their media deals earlier than expected, and importantly, earlier than the other Big 4 leagues, potentially causing the networks to have less in the tank when it’s the other leagues’ turn to negotiate.
Relevant quote: “As for what this means those of us who just want to watch the games: Fans who are sick of having to pay for a billion (rough estimate) streaming services and extra channels just to watch their favorite non-NFL teams won’t get much of a break if the NFL goes through with this plan. If the legacy networks shell out even more for the NFL, the other sports have to look for revenue elsewhere.”
It’s probably not entirely rational, but I think I hate the NFL a little more year by year.
Man, fuck the NFL. I mean fuck all of the bourgeois bitches that head these leagues, but fuck the NFL in particular!
Putting aside the particular implications of this article… can anyone explain to me why the average NHL fan should care?
It seems to me that this might put less money in the pockets of owners and players but, what does it mean to fans? Will games become less accessible? Will they become more expensive? If yes to either of those, how will it happen? If no to both of those, why should I care?
NFL always gets high ratings.
This is going to be one of the few times where I don’t chime in with “fuck the NFL”. They’re not the problem here, the regional sports networks are. As long as networks like NESN can hold the games hostage behind a paywall and not have to share the revenue with the rest of the league, the other 3 leagues are going to be losing this war. I find it almost impossible to grow the game behind a paywall, and the NFL seems to be the only league to agree. Sure they have red zone for the fantasy geeks and gamblers, but more than a reasonable amount of regular season and playoff games are on free network TV. And the slow death of cable as we knew it is only compounding the issue.
6 comments
In summary, the NFL is going to renegotiate their media deals earlier than expected, and importantly, earlier than the other Big 4 leagues, potentially causing the networks to have less in the tank when it’s the other leagues’ turn to negotiate.
Relevant quote: “As for what this means those of us who just want to watch the games: Fans who are sick of having to pay for a billion (rough estimate) streaming services and extra channels just to watch their favorite non-NFL teams won’t get much of a break if the NFL goes through with this plan. If the legacy networks shell out even more for the NFL, the other sports have to look for revenue elsewhere.”
It’s probably not entirely rational, but I think I hate the NFL a little more year by year.
Man, fuck the NFL. I mean fuck all of the bourgeois bitches that head these leagues, but fuck the NFL in particular!
Putting aside the particular implications of this article… can anyone explain to me why the average NHL fan should care?
It seems to me that this might put less money in the pockets of owners and players but, what does it mean to fans? Will games become less accessible? Will they become more expensive? If yes to either of those, how will it happen? If no to both of those, why should I care?
NFL always gets high ratings.
This is going to be one of the few times where I don’t chime in with “fuck the NFL”. They’re not the problem here, the regional sports networks are. As long as networks like NESN can hold the games hostage behind a paywall and not have to share the revenue with the rest of the league, the other 3 leagues are going to be losing this war. I find it almost impossible to grow the game behind a paywall, and the NFL seems to be the only league to agree. Sure they have red zone for the fantasy geeks and gamblers, but more than a reasonable amount of regular season and playoff games are on free network TV. And the slow death of cable as we knew it is only compounding the issue.