While the biggest story on Sunday was the NFL and Comcast nearing a deal that would put the NFL Network on the cable operator’s digital basic tier, another huge story is the related deal that keeps the NFL on FOX and CBS through 2013.
Sports Business Journal reported on Sunday that FOX and CBS are close to extending their deals with the NFL an additional two years, through the 2013 season. Both networks are expected to “[agree] to a 3 percent to 5 percent increase” in rights fees. Currently, FOX pays $713 million per year for rights to the NFC, while CBS pays $623 million for rights to the AFC.
The extension would “ensure that CBS broadcasts the 2013 Super Bowl and Fox would get the 2014 game.”
NBC is expected to sign a two-year extension with the NFL at some point, meaning that all four NFL rightsholders would have their deals expire at the end of the 2013 season.
Sources told Sports Business Journal that the NFL is “looking to shore up its media deals before its labor issues come to a head.” 2010 is the last year of the NFL’s current CBA, and “the league would like revenue locked in for a significant period of time.”
