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Netflix Reportedly Passed On Major NFL Draft Opportunity

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Mar 25, 2025 2:18 PM ET

The 2025 NFL Draft is coming up next month and it could be the last one for a while that's aired by the ABC family of networks for a long while. But while the broadcast rights are up for grabs starting in 2026, Netflix won't be reaching.

According to Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, Netflix has passed on the opportunity to bid on media rights for the NFL Draft. As it stands, the known bidders include ABC/ESPN, FOX and Google.

"Netflix passed on invite to bid on media rights to NFL Draft, sources tell @FOS," McCarthy wrote. "Seven years after Fox got its foot in the door with one-and-done coverage, it's back to challenge ESPN for rights to marquee off-season event staring in 2026."

TUNED IN: Netflix passed on invite to bid on media rights to NFL Draft, sources tell @FOS.

Seven years after Fox got its foot in the door with one-and-done coverage, it's back to challenge ESPN for rights to marquee off-season event staring in 2026. https://t.co/qfqNxABWeq
— Michael McCarthy (@MMcCarthyREV) March 25, 2025

Netflix's decision to decline an invitation to bid on the NFL Draft rights is a curious one as the streaming service has been ramping up its NFL and general sports coverage over the past few months.

This past year alone saw Netflix make platform history for live event viewership with its critically-acclaimed broadcast of the NFL on Christmas Day games. The broadcast went off without any hitches and the two games they aired averaged over 30 million viewers - more than several NFL playoff games on competing streaming services.

They'll get a chance to run it back in 2026.

Meanwhile, Netflix has added boxing and WWE to their portfolio of live sporting events. They are now the exclusive home of WWE's main show, Monday Night RAW.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 01: NFL Christmas Gameday signage advertising the NFL's two Christmas Day marquee games streaming live on Netflix on December 01, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images

The NFL Draft is the NFL's marquee offseason event with the first round regularly getting over 10 million viewers these days. Perhaps Netflix didn't see the numbers working for them or simply don't want to have to bid against some of the true heavy hitters in the sports industry in April.

In any event, Netflix might be missing out on a golden opportunity here, but it shouldn't be a sign that they're chickening out of getting more involved in the NFL.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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