Preseason games might no longer be as easy to find in local markets. The NFL is considering allowing teams to sell preseason games, along with original shows, to streaming platforms, a league source confirmed to The Athletic.
There are details to sort out, but the idea is expected to be discussed at the league meetings in Arizona next week. One thing that is currently unclear is whether the streaming platform to which a team sells its game will have exclusive rights or if the game will also be allowed to air on local channels.
News of the proposal was first reported by Sports Business Journal.
The benefit of going this route isn’t universal. Popular teams, such as the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears, might find this lucrative, while less popular teams would have trouble selling to services like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
The NFL has made an effort to enter the streaming space. It’s had games broadcast on YouTube and Netflix, and it streams its “Thursday Night Football” presentation on Amazon Prime Video every week during the regular season.
So far, streaming platform games have been league initiatives, held during the regular season or playoffs. This most recent idea would be a team initiative and come during the preseason, where audience numbers are lower than in the regular season.
Is there a market for preseason streaming?
The world is changing, and the NFL is trying to change with it. But this move isn’t earth-shattering, and it’s unclear whether there’s a huge market for it. The NFL is king on TV, so even preseason games can result in some numbers.
However, the big streamers, like Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Netflix and Apple, are unlikely to clamor to figure out the production resources required to produce such a game. Maybe the streaming platforms of the big networks, ESPN, Fox, NBC or CBS have some interest. — Andrew Marchand, senior sports media columnist