The NFL and NFLPA have begun discussion on expanding the regular season to 18 games. Plus: Netflix is in talks with CBS and Fox about producing Christmas Day NFL games; PGA Tour announcer Mark Carnevale passes away unexpectedly at 64; Chris “Mad Dog” Russo signs a three-year extension with SiriusXM.
NFL, NFLPA begin to discuss 18 game schedule
NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell revealed that the union has begun informal discussion with the NFL regarding an expanded 18-game regular season, the Washington Post reported Tuesday. The news comes in the months following NFL commissioner Roger Goodell‘s multiple public comments about an 18-game schedule. This is the first acknowledgement that the NFLPA has entertained the proposal directly with the league.
Howell said the possibility will be brought up with players during upcoming meetings. Any changes to the current schedule would have to be approved by the NFLPA. Notably, the report indicated that expansion to an 18-game schedule could come well before the current collective bargaining agreement between the league and players expires following the 2030 season.
While an 18-game schedule may seem inevitable, the devil is in the details — which is one reason Howell cites for beginning discussions now instead of later. The NFLPA can use the extra game as a bargaining chip to push changes to the offseason calendar, roster sizes, playing surface, and more. Other details such as the amount of preseason games or whether teams would be granted an extra bye week will also play a role in any agreement between the two sides. (Washington Post, 7.23)
Netflix eyes CBS and Fox for Christmas games
With the rights for two Christmas Day NFL games secured, Netflix is now in talks with both CBS and Fox to handle production of said games, per John Ourand of Puck on Monday. Creating an NFL-quality broadcast is a large undertaking, and it would make little sense for Netflix to build out an entire production outfit just for one day of games. With ESPN out of the picture because of its college football commitments, and NBC handling Amazon’s Thursday Night Football the following day, Netflix is left to woo either CBS or Fox to produce its pair of games.
Earlier reporting indicated that none of the NFL’s current broadcast partners were keen on producing Netflix’s games — seeing the streamer as a potential competitor when NFL rights likely return to market in 2029. Ourand left the door open for an outside production company to produce the games, however given the stakes of these high-profile and late-season matchups, it’s likely both the NFL and Netflix would prefer a legacy partner. (Puck, 7.22)
PGA Tour announcer Carnevale passes away
Beloved PGA Tour announcer Mark Carnevale passed away unexpectedly on Monday, the league announced. Carnevale was a former PGA Tour player who pivoted to broadcasting in 2005 when he began calling tournaments for PGA Tour Radio. He was also a familiar face on ESPN+ broadcasts of PGA Tour Live, which airs morning coverage and featured groups for most PGA Tour events.
Carnevale’s final assignment was just two weeks ago in Scotland at the Genesis Scottish Open where he worked as an on-course reporter for PGA Tour Radio. He was slated to work this week’s 3M Open in Minnesota prior to his untimely passing. (PGA Tour, 7.22)
Russo signs extension with SiriusXM
Radio legend Chris “Mad Dog” Russo has signed a three-year extension with SiriusXM that will see him continue as the face of Mad Dog Sports Radio, the company announced Tuesday. Russo came to fame as co-host of Mike and the Mad Dog on New York City’s WFAN alongside Mike Francesa. He launched his own channel on SiriusXM in 2008, which has been his radio home ever since.
More recently, Russo has carved out a niche on television as one of Stephen A. Smith‘s primary debate partners on ESPN’s First Take. Earlier this year, Front Office Sports reported that Russo had signed a multi-year extension to remain on the show. (SiriusXM, 7.23)
