The skyrocketing NFL is looking to sell more broadcast packages ahead of a 2029 option to renegotiate its deals, Commissioner Roger Goodell told CNBC on Thursday.
Mr. Goodell reiterated his goal to expand the NFL’s international reach with 16 games per season — one matchup for each of the league’s 32 clubs.
“We think that’s the right number for us,” he said. “It’ll give us the chance to reach the key markets around the globe that we really want to be in.”
The NFL is already looking to sell the broadcast rights to those global matchups, especially the European games in the 9:30 a.m. window.
“We could take our seven games and put those into a package. That 9:30 window on the East Coast has become very popular with fans,” Mr. Goodell said. “As we play more and more games in Europe, that’s the right time zone for us. That’s something that we absolutely will do in some form.”
The rest of the league’s broadcasting future is largely to be determined, according to the commissioner.
The league has the right to opt out of its current media deals in 2029. A renegotiated contract would likely net a large payday for the NFL, which dominates TV ratings every year.
A smaller decision looms regarding the league’s agreement with CBS. Paramount, CBS’ parent company, is in the middle of a merger with Skydance. That opens an option for the NFL to renegotiate its partnership with the network.
The NFL has aired part of its Sunday slate on CBS since 1998. The league’s original deal with the network ran from 1956 through 1994.
“We’ll wait and we’ll see when the transaction is done,” Mr. Goodell said. “We’ll see how they’re approaching the NFL and how they’re approaching their business. It’s something that’s incredibly valuable to us to make the right decision.”
The NFL season opens Sept. 4 when the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys on NBC.
