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CFO Hugh Johnston delivered that update during the media giant’s quarterly earnings call Wednesday.
The league, whose games continue to be massively important chess pieces for media companies and streamers, is planning to exercise its option to opt out of current rights deals before they expire in 2033-34. The NFL is already in discussions with Sunday afternoon partners Paramount and Fox, reportedly with the aim of extracting an extra $1 billion or more by making the companies an offer they won’t likely be able to refuse.
Disney is not subject to the league’s opt-out until 2031. It is also in a unique position relative to its media and streaming rivals after swinging a deal to acquire the NFL Network, RedZone and other media assets in exchange for a 10% equity stake in ESPN.
“Our relationship with the NFL is as broad and as deep as it’s ever been,” Johnston said on the call. “We’re excited looking ahead to the upcoming NFL season with the NFL Network, and with RedZone linear now part of our distribution portfolio on top of Monday Night Football and broader NFL coverage.”
Nevertheless, he continued, “we haven’t yet engaged with the league on early renewal conversations. We’re not dogmatic about the process, and we’re always willing to have a conversation with the NFL in an effort to find new opportunities for growth. We expect to be in the business with the league for years to come, and will of course evaluate this deal – as we would any deal – with discipline and a focus on driving value for Disney’s shareholders.”
Asked about the state of NFL relations on recent earnings calls, other media and tech executives have characterized the situation a bit differently, saying they had begun conversations toward a renewal.
Netflix, which has had Christmas Day doubleheaders for the past two seasons, has made no secret of its desire to have more NFL games. “We are in discussions right now” with the league, Co-CEO Ted Sarandos said last month, “because we think there’s an opportunity to expand the relationship.”
Disney’s networks and streaming platforms will carry the Super Bowl next February, marking the company’s first turn with the big game since ABC had it in 2006.
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