Major Change Is Coming To The NFL Preseason

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

NFL teams can get more money from their broadcasts starting next season. The league would reportedly allow them to sell preseason game TV rights and original shows to streamers under a new plan.

Owners will discuss the proposal at next week’s league meeting. Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal reported on Thursday that the option is seen “as a marginal but intriguing new asset” for teams.

In case you don’t know, the NFL has a centralized media ecosystem. The league sells national packages for the regular season and postseason. Preseason games typically go to local broadcast affiliates, but that could change soon.

Streamers Could Broadcast NFL Preseason Games In 2026

The league has found ways to attract more people to the tune-up matchups. Last season, watching Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward on the field made some of the games very attractive. Coincidentally, last season’s games averaged the best viewership since 2018 with 2.2 million viewers in nationally televised games.

The NFL local TV rights tend to cost low millions, but the biggest teams can make more.

“Details, including how the fees would be determined, may be more forthcoming after an ownership vote. Sources also said they’ll be eager to hear more details on the new right to sell nongame productions, like coaches’ shows, to streamers, and whether the specific rules undermine the potential value,” Hughes wrote.

With the league creating a nearly $25 billion business with its centralized model, many think that teams should get more money. Having the chance to sell those NFL preseason games’ TV rights could do wonders for some franchises.