Despite an earlier report indicating that Netflix would not pursue NFL Draft rights after ESPN’s current deal expires this year, a new update suggests otherwise. Sports Business Journal’s Austin Karp and Mollie Cahillane now report that Netflix remains a potential bidder for NFL Draft media rights, contradicting Front Office Sports’ earlier report. On the SBJ Sports Media Podcast released Thursday, both Karp and Cahillane indicated that Netflix is still in the mix.
Sources tell me and @MollieCahillane to NOT count out Netflix as a potential bidder for rights to the NFL Draft.
As we discuss on this week’s SBJ Sports Media Podcast, a standalone, tentpole event like this fits with Netflix’s sports strategy to date pic.twitter.com/qLLZLt7I69
— Austin Karp (@AustinKarp) March 27, 2025
Karp noted, “There was a report out there this week that Netflix is not going to be one of the companies bidding. Not sure I agree with that, not necessarily something that I’m hearing from my sources, that Netflix is out.” Cahillane echoed this sentiment, stating, “I’m also hearing from my sources that Netflix is likely not out.”
The NFL Draft is an appealing property for Netflix, which has shown interest in one-off tentpole events, such as the NFL’s Christmas Day games or the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight. The Draft, spanning three days, aligns well with their strategy. However, if Netflix persists in its interest, it will face fierce competition.
Last year, Puck’s John Ourand reported that three companies had already submitted bids for the NFL Draft: ESPN, Fox, and Google. ESPN has hosted the NFL Draft every year since 1980, and their current relationship with NFL Media may enhance their bidding position.
Nonetheless, it’s conceivable that the NFL may distribute the rights to multiple holders, encompassing one linear network and one streaming service. There have been several broadcasts of the NFL Draft since 2006, when NFL Network began separate coverage from ESPN, and in recent years, ABC has introduced an independent presentation from ESPN. It’s not unprecedented for the league and its broadcast partners to offer various options for draft viewing; however, how the situation will evolve for 2026 and beyond remains uncertain.
