NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell continued his push for the globalization of the game today during an interview with CNBC at the Sun Valley Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho.
While speaking with CNBC’s Julia Boorstin, Goodell said his idea for global expansion not only includes more games overseas but more games on Netflix after the streaming platform aired two contests on Christmas Day in 2023.
Roger Goodell Says More Games on Netflix Part of Global Expansion
“Netflix has close to 300 million subscribers on a global basis, which was really attractive for us in being able to reach that global fan,” Goodell said. “International is a huge initiative of ours. We believe that the game is gonna be very popular globally, we just have to bring more games to them.”
Boorstin asked Goodell if moving more games off free TV and onto pay services could result in a fragmentation of fans.
“Over 85% of our games are on free television,” Goodell responded, noting that games on pay services are still available on free television in the home markets of the two teams participating.
“Fans are moving [to] pay television platforms, and we want to be where the fans are,” he added.
Another topic of discussion was the NBA’s new $76 billion television deal and how it impacts the NFL.
Boorstin asked Goodell if the new deal makes the NFL feel underpaid.
“There’s probably a lot of people in the NFL that think they’re underpaid,” he said. “We have great relationships with our networks, and a lot of our media is not about the dollars as much as it is how do we reach more fans.”
Which equals more dollars, of course.
“Obviously, we want to be paid fairly, but it’s about reaching fans,” Goodell continued. “And being on a free platform like we are allows our fans to see that. I think that’s what’s led to not only the great popularity of the league but obviously the great ratings.”
Boorstin also hit on the league’s newfound willingness to allow private equity firms to invest in team ownership, especially in the wake of the $4.7 billion ruling against the league in the NFL “Sunday Ticket” class action suit. The NFL is the only sports league that prohibits private equity firms from investing in teams.
“Just looking at ownership policies in general and as sports evolve, we want to make sure that our policies reflect that,” Goodell said. “We believe this could make sense for us in a limited fashion, probably no more than 10% of a team. That would be something we think could complement our ownership and support our ownership policies. Hopefully, we’ll have something by the end of the year.”
Boorstin pointed out that other leagues allow up to 30% ownership from private equity firms.
“We’re not other leagues,” he said. “I think we’re gonna do what’s right for the National Football League. This is something that is the initial cap. Could it be raised at some point in time? Of course.”
As could the cost of watching the games, based on everything Goodell had to say today.
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