The future of how we watch professional football remains one of the most compelling storylines in sports. Currently, NFL games are broadcast across multiple platforms, including CBS, Fox, NBC, Prime Video, and YouTube (for Sunday Ticket), with these deals set to expire in 2029. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Monday Night Football agreement extends through 2030.
During a Wednesday morning investor call, Disney Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston revealed that ESPN and Disney have not yet initiated discussions with the NFL about renewing the Monday Night Football package early. Johnston stated, via Sports Business Journal’s Austin Karp:
"We’re not dogmatic about the process. We’re always willing to have a conversation with the NFL in an effort to find new opportunities for growth. We expect to be in business with the league for years to come, and will of course evaluate this deal as we would any deal -- with discipline, and a focus on driving value for Disney shareholders."
Given that the NFL now owns a 10% stake in ESPN, the likelihood of the network losing NFL games appears minimal. However, negotiations between the NFL and Disney/ESPN have not yet begun.
Why the Delay in NFL-TV Deal Renewals?
The NFL’s approach to broadcast renewals suggests a strategic pause. The league’s current ESPN deal already extends a year beyond the 2029 expiration of other broadcast packages, ensuring a four-network rotation for the Super Bowl through 2030. Analysts believe the NFL is prioritizing CBS/Paramount first, with plans to revisit other current partners afterward.
The NFL had an opportunity to reopen talks with CBS following Paramount’s acquisition by Skydance, thanks to a “change in control” provision in the existing CBS deal. Reports indicate the NFL may seek to increase CBS’s annual payment from $2.1 billion to $3 billion immediately upon renewal.
Recent earnings calls from Paramount have not addressed the status of NFL negotiations, leaving the timeline—and even the possibility—of a CBS renewal unresolved.
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