NFL commissioner Roger Goodell seems to be drawing inspiration from a famous ’90s rock band. The legendary Noel Gallagher of Oasis once stated, “I’ve got 87 million pounds in the bank, a Rolls Royce, 3 stalkers, I’m about to join the board at Manchester City, I’m part of the greatest band in the world. Am I happy with that? No, I’m not! I want MORE!!” This resonates with the NFL, which rakes in over $10 billion a year in media rights, as they too aspire for more.
During his annual Super Bowl week press conference, Goodell was asked by The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand if he believes the league’s current television contracts are undervalued. His response was reminiscent of a rock star’s boldness: “I always think we’re undervalued, how’s that?” he quipped before providing a more corporate explanation. He noted, “The NFL, you see it by the ratings, they’re extraordinary. We had 58 million people watching the AFC Championship game a week ago. And you see the quality of the content and what it can do.”
The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand asks Roger Goodell if he thinks the current NFL TV contracts are undervalued.
Goodell: “I always think we’re undervalued, how’s that?” pic.twitter.com/pj2b0fFcgu
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 3, 2025
Goodell highlighted the NFL’s fan-friendly broadcast policies, with nearly 88% of games still airing on free, over-the-air television. However, he also hinted at potential expansions in partnerships with tech giants like Netflix, Google, and Amazon, all of whom could surpass traditional broadcasters in bidding. “Amazon had another 40% increase in audience,” he noted. “Their ratings are now getting close to broadcast audiences, and they are likely to cross over soon. Our relationships with Netflix, Amazon, and Peacock will be critical to our media strategy moving forward.”
Marchand then inquired about the NFL’s option to opt-out of its current television contracts in 2029, a move that could allow for expanded partnerships with tech companies. Goodell stated, “I think those opt-outs are incredibly valuable for the NFL. They provide us the opportunity to explore the best options available as the media landscape evolves quickly. We have built-in flexibility in our media deals, which I believe will serve us well.”
While Goodell refrained from committing to specifics regarding future broadcast arrangements, he made it clear that the NFL is strategically positioned to leverage its current circumstances. Although there’s a possibility that NFL broadcast rights may become more fragmented based on how the league manages its inventory, one thing is evident: the NFL is not satisfied with its current $10 billion annually—they want MORE!!
