NFL to make $10 billion per year on new media rights deals

NFL revenue fell by $4 billion in 2020 because of financial hardships related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the league responded by dropping the salary cap by nearly $16 million for the 2021 season. 

Don't feel too sorry for NFL owners. 

Per John Ourand and Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal, the NFL will earn $10 billion annually through the new media rights deals announced on Thursday that will run through the 2033 campaign. As Grant Gordon noted for the league's official website, CBS and Fox retain their standard slates of Sunday afternoon games, NBC keeps "Sunday Night Football," and ESPN/ABC holds onto "Monday Night Football" and also get the rights to Super Bowl broadcasts for 2026 and 2030.

CBS gets the Super Bowl for 2023, 2027 and 2031. Fox has the big game for 2024, 2028 and 2032. NBC will air it in 2022, 2025, 2029 and 2033.

There are two big changes this time around. First, Amazon Prime Video becomes the exclusive home of "Thursday Night Football" broadcasts. Second, via an ESPN piece, is that "Monday Night Football" games can now be flexed in and out starting with Week 12 of the season. ESPN+ will stream one International Series game and can also simulcast ABC and ESPN broadcasts. 

These agreements begin at the start of the 2023 season.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a prepared statement:

"These new media deals will provide our fans even greater access to the games they love. We're proud to grow our partnerships with the most innovative media companies in the market. Along with our recently completed labor agreement with the NFLPA, these distribution agreements bring an unprecedented era of stability to the league and will permit us to continue to grow and improve our game."