YouTube pays $2 billion for NFL Sunday Ticket

The NFL confirmed Google as the next distributor of “NFL Sunday Ticket”. With the agreement YouTube TV and YouTube Primetime Channels have the exclusive rights to distribute content in the United States, starting with the 2023 season. The agreement has an average value of 2,000 million dollars annually for seven seasons.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the price of the deal could increase if certain benchmarks are reached and could be worth as much as $3 billion annually, including the revenue-sharing deal it has with YouTube to meet certain subscriber levels and if the NFL sells your non-residential rights.

The league will also seek to license commercial rights in restaurants and bars for another $200 million.

“For several years we have focused on increasing the digital distribution of our games and this partnership is another example of us looking to the future and building the next generation of NFL fans,” said Commissioner Roger Goodell.

DirecTV, which has held exclusive rights since 1994, currently pays an average of $1.5 billion per season for commercial and local rights.

It is the second time in less than two years that the NFL has partnered with a streaming service to stream games. The league’s 11-year contract with Amazon Prime Video for Thursday night games began this season. In addition to Amazon, Apple and ESPN also expressed interest in the Sunday package.

“Sunday Ticket” will be available on YouTube TV as an add-on package on two of YouTube’s subscription businesses: YouTube TV costs 64.99 per month and will also be available separately on YouTube primetime channels.

“YouTube has long been a home for soccer fans, whether they’re streaming games live, keeping up with their home team, or watching the best plays in highlights,” said Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube.

Average annual NFL TV deals, as of 2023:

• Disney (ESPN/ABC): 2.720 million
• Google (YouTube): 2 billion
• FOX: 2,029 million
• Paramount (CBS): 2,150 millones
• Comcast (NBC): 2.005 million
• Amazon (main): 1.2 billion

Total: 12,041 million

deportes@eleconomista.mx