The NFL is working on its own direct-to-consumer streaming service, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in an interview with CNBC. Goodell hasn’t specified exactly what content will be available on the service, which he dubbed “NFL Plus,” but the league intends to launch it for the upcoming NFL season.
“We think it’s very important to have a direct relationship with the consumer,” Goodell said. “We believe we have a lot of content and a lot of ability to do that. Consumers want it, so we’re very excited to see what NFL Plus will be like. But it’s really in the early stages. I think over the years you’ll see that continue to grow. And it will be an important opportunity for us to be able to speak directly to our fans. This is an important strategy for us for the future.”
Maybe we’ll hear more details in a few weeks
When it might be available “will be the timing for this season, at least in the early stages,” he said. “We’ll wait and see the details and let you know in a couple of weeks.” The NFL did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In May, Sports Business Journal reported that NFL Plus was expected to launch this month and offer live games, although the games available would be limited to what you can watch in your local market. The service is expected to cost around $5 a month, but a source told Sports Business Journal that could change. The Service may also offer radio, podcasts and content created by the team.
In the CNBC interview, Goodell also opened up about the possible next home for NFL Sunday Ticket, which is expected to move to another platform after the NFL’s deal with DirecTV for the lucrative package expires at the end of the 2022 season. Apple, Amazon and Disney are reportedly among the companies vying for the deal, and Goodell told CNBC that “I definitely believe” NFL Sunday Ticket will move to a streaming service.
We could get to know the new home of NFL Sunday Ticket this fall
“We truly believe that these new platforms give us the opportunity to go beyond where we are today and make the experience for our consumers so much better,” Goodell said. “It obviously makes it more available to our consumers, and especially the younger demographic that we’re really trying to reach.” I think that makes it more accessible for fans, I think it’s going to be a better experience for fans, and we’re excited about that.” Goodell expects the NFL to make their Sunday ticketing decision by the fall.
Amazon would make perfect sense as a new home given it already has a big deal with the NFL for Thursday Night Football. Disney owns ESPN and the streaming service ESPN Plus, so the NFL Sunday Ticket is a logical addition there as well. And while Apple TV Plus’ Friday night baseball debut might not have been a home run, the company just announced a big deal to stream every Major League Soccer game for 10 years starting in 2023, suggesting the iPhone maker will is serious about improving his sport offers.