The next Thursday Night Football contract could last into the next decade and include a stake in NFL Network. In other news, executives at Fox Sports and ESPN are unabashed in their desire to renew with the Big Ten, and the Premier Boxing Champions series will air in primetime on FOX.
NFL to Offer Longer TNF Deal, Stake in NFL Network
- The NFL is seeking to bring the length of the next Thursday Night Football contract “in line” with its other rights deals, each of which run into the start of the next decade, according to The Hollywood Reporter. CBS has held Thursday night rights for the past two seasons under a pair of one-year contracts. In addition, The New York Post reported that the league wants to include a stake in NFL Network as part of the negotiations. That follows a report by The Big Lead earlier in the year that the NFL and CBS were discussing a 40% stake in the channel. (Hollywood Reporter, NY Post via SBD)
ESPN, FOX Execs Want to Stay in Big Ten Business
- Executives with Fox Sports and ESPN have expressed enthusiasm about renewing Big Ten television rights, based on quotes obtained from Sports Business Journal. ESPN president John Skipper expressed his company’s “love” for the Big Ten and desire to “remain in business” with the conference, while Fox Sports’ Jamie Horowitz called it “an incredibly valuable property.” Their counterparts at NBC Sports and CBS Sports were noticeably lukewarm by comparison. Negotiations on a new Big Ten TV deal are expected to begin in the spring. (Sports Business Journal)
FOX to Air Primetime PBC Starting in January
- The FOX broadcast network will air three Saturday night Premier Boxing Champions telecasts starting in January, under what Fox Sports is calling an “expansion” of its deal with the PBC. The first telecast will air January 23 at 8 PM ET on both FOX and Fox Deportes. FOX will be the second broadcast network to air primetime PBC events, joining NBC. (Fox Sports)
