NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated the league is considering restructuring its game packages in future media rights negotiations, accounting for shifts in how audiences consume television content and the growing prominence of streaming platforms. Speaking ahead of the league’s first regular-season game in Australia, Goodell indicated the league is engaging with current and prospective media partners to evaluate whether existing package arrangements should be modified.
The NFL currently distributes games across multiple packages, including two Sunday afternoon slots carried by Fox and CBS, Sunday Night Football on NBC, Monday Night Football on ESPN and ABC, and Thursday Night Football on Amazon. Netflix recently acquired rights to five additional games this season. The league has an opt-out clause allowing it to renegotiate and resell its media packages following the 2029-30 season, though Goodell declined to confirm whether the NFL intends to exercise that option.
Goodell emphasized that the decision need not be made immediately, noting the opt-out provision provides valuable flexibility to assess developments in the media landscape before determining the optimal approach. He highlighted that several major media partners are undergoing significant organizational changes, including Paramount’s attempted acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Fox’s agreement to purchase Roku, and Comcast’s plan to spin off NBCUniversal.
The commissioner also identified global audience reach as an emerging priority for the league, noting that international expansion efforts include games scheduled in Spain, France, and Brazil. He stressed that broadcast television will remain integral to the league’s distribution strategy to maintain free, over-the-air access for local markets, though games are increasingly simulcast on streaming services. Goodell characterized the evolving media environment as requiring continuous evaluation to identify distribution partners and platforms best positioned to reach audiences where they are congregating.
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