The NFL is reportedly seeking to increase its broadcasting rights by 100% of its current fees, according to a report from CNBC.
Football is one of the main staples in American culture. The NFL manages to pull millions of viewers to televisions all over the country. On Friday, February 19, the NFL is trying to capitalize on its massive audience by doubling the fees to broadcast the games. At least according to CNBC.
The media outlet reported that the NFL is currently seeking to increase the fees by 100% of their current worth. The report also says that Disney is pushing back against the request. Disney is the same company that owns ESPN and ABC. ABC is well-known for broadcasting Monday Night Football. They currently pay $1.9 billion annually to broadcast NFL games, which is the most expensive compared to companies, such as CBS, FOX and NBC.
The increase means Disney would have to pay $3.8 billion a year in order to broadcast the games on their stations. The other broadcasting stations are likely to accept the NFL’s deal.
Disney Hit Back Against the NFL
Disney is hitting back at the NFL with its own negotiations in regards to broadcasting rights.
In order for Disney to accept the NFL’s request to increase the broadcasting right fees, they’ve asked for double-header Monday Night games and for ABC to be apart of the Super Bowl rotation, along with the broadcasting stations.
“We’re looking at the long-term trends of sports viewership, we’ve had a long relationship with the NFL. If there’s a deal that will be accretive to shareholder value, we will certainly entertain that and look at that. But our first filter will be to say whether it makes sense for shareholder value going forward.” Disney CEO Bob Chapek said in an interview on February 11.
The NFL has made no comment on CNBC’s report.
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