Fox has decided against early renegotiation of its NFL media rights agreement, according to CEO Lachlan Murdoch during a Thursday earnings conference call. The company stated it will maintain its existing contractual relationship with the league through the completion of the 2029 season and indicated it would be prepared to discuss opt-out provisions and renewal terms at a time closer to the 2030 season, following customary negotiation timelines.
The decision comes after preliminary discussions between the NFL and both Fox and CBS-parent Paramount Skydance regarding potential modifications to their current deals. Those conversations focused on eliminating opt-out clauses and increasing the cost of live broadcasting rights. Fox and CBS currently hold the rights to broadcast NFL Sunday afternoon games. Without opt-out provisions, both companies’ deals with the league would extend through the conclusion of the 2033-34 season.
The NFL has demonstrated a willingness to engage media partners on rights renewals at different timing intervals. The league has recently added new distribution partners, including YouTube and Netflix, while maintaining flexibility to negotiate with existing partners. An NFL spokesperson declined to comment on Murdoch’s statements. Disney, another major NFL rights holder, has similarly stated that the league has not yet approached the company regarding deal modifications.
The decision by Fox reflects broader considerations about the value of NFL broadcasting rights. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell previously expressed concerns that the league’s media rights may be undervalued relative to other professional sports, pointing to the NBA’s 2024 media deal worth $77 billion over 11 years as a potential benchmark. The NFL’s most recent comprehensive media rights agreement, valued at more than $100 billion, was established in 2021.
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