NFL Media Rights Renegotiations Accelerate; 18th Game Debate Heats Up; Goodell Skips Congress
Key Questions
What international game has Netflix confirmed for 2026?
Netflix will stream the 49ers-Rams matchup as the NFL's Week 1 opener in Melbourne, Australia, on September 10, 2026, at the MCG stadium.
What progress is being made on NFL media rights deals?
The league is accelerating early negotiations for $110 billion in deals, including a $3 billion increase with Paramount/Skydance/CBS and deeper ESPN-NFL Network integration, while emphasizing streaming growth with four Monday Night Football doubleheaders.
Why did Roger Goodell decline to testify before Congress?
Goodell refused to appear at a June 10 House hearing on the league's streaming and broadcast deals amid a DOJ antitrust investigation and bipartisan pressure over the SBA exemption, noting that 87% of games remain on broadcast TV.
What are NFL players requesting in exchange for an 18th game?
Players, including George Kittle, are demanding an extra bye week and a pay increase as part of any expansion to an 18-game regular season.
What roster deadline changes has the NFL announced?
The league has shifted the cutdown deadline to August 30 and waiver claim processing to August 31.
Netflix confirms 49ers-Rams Week 1 Australia opener Melbourne MCG Sept 10 2026; league pushes $110B early deals Paramount/Skydance/CBS $3B hike/ESPN NFLN integration; Goodell emphasizes streaming scale, 4 MNF doubleheaders to streamers +2026 game, global schedule next week amid $432.6M/team revenue. George Kittle adds player demands for 18th game (extra bye, pay bump). New: Goodell refuses to testify before Congress over streaming antitrust probe; DOJ investigation and bipartisan pressure threaten SBA exemption. Goodell cites 87% of games still on broadcast TV; June 10 hearing set. NFL also moves cutdown deadline to Aug 30, waiver claims Aug 31.