BIZ Could Sunday Night Football be on ABC with new media rights deal? by Nicholas Durst November 3, 2020 With all of the NFL’s media deals expiring after the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Disney is gearing up to make a big bid to secure Sunday Night Football for ABC. As far back as early 2019, there was buzz about ABC wanting a Super Bowl and this would be the way to make that happen. Sunday Night Football is the most valuable programming in television and a billion-dollar battle is emerging between incumbent NBC and Disney/ABC/ESPN as the NFL moves toward agreements on its new TV deals. The deals could be completed by the end of the year, The Post has learned. Currently, ESPN spends $2 billion per year for an inferior Monday Night schedule and no Super Bowls, while NBC writes a check for a mere $950 million for Sunday Night, which includes flexible scheduling that allows the NFL to shift better games into prime time, as well as a spot in the Super Bowl rotation. Part of Disney’s pitch is that it currently pays the most so it deserves the best prime-time regular-season schedule. Current NFL Media Rights Deals: “Monday Night Football” — $1.90 billion per year, ESPN AFC Sunday Package — $1.09 billion per year, CBS NFC Sunday Package — $1.08 billion per year, Fox “Sunday Night Football” — $960 million per year, NBC “Thursday Night Football” — $660 million per year, Fox ESPN’s extra cost for Monday Night Football does allow it to have almost wall-to-wall highlights on its network daily, which is something NBC, Fox and CBS don’t have. ESPN broadcasts the draft and the Pro Bowl. If Sunday Night Football ends up on ABC, NBC would still be in play for Monday or Thursday night action. Both Disney and NBC could try for Fox and CBS’ Sunday afternoon packages. Disney and NBC still can’t entirely be ruled out just yet for Sunday afternoons, but it seems less likely at the moment. Amazon and Apple are also likely to try to jump into the bidding war. Amazon is already the digital home for Thursday nights, while Apple could try to help its Apple+ product. Both have extraordinarily deep pockets, though neither is expected to receive a marquee standalone package and may just be in line for digital rights. ESPN’s current “Monday Night Football” deal concludes after next season, while NBC, CBS and Fox’s NFL TV contracts will be completed following the 2022-23 Super Bowl. Post Views: 508 The following two tabs change content below.BioLatest Posts Nicholas Durst Nicholas Durst is a sports media professional who has worked as an on-air personality and producer with the Brooklyn Cyclones, Bleacher Report, MSG Networks, WFAN Radio and MTV. He has experience in TV, radio, social/digital media, short-form and live video across sports and entertainment. He is also a NCAA Division II broadcaster for CSI SportsNet. Nicholas hosts You Know I'm Right, right here on InTheZone.io. Follow him on twitter @Nick_Durst Latest posts by Nicholas Durst (see all) You Know I’m Right, Episode 113: New York Post Columnist Phil Mushnick (Audio/Video) - April 29, 2021 You Know I’m Right, Episode 112: New York Jets’ Insider Brian Costello (Audio/Video) - April 27, 2021 You Know I’m Right, Episode 111: New York Giants’ Insider John Schmeelk (Audio/Video) - April 23, 2021 You Know I’m Right, Episode 110: New York Giants’ Insider Paul Dottino (Audio/Video) - April 21, 2021 Related TopicsABCamazonAPPLEbroadcastingCBSESPNFOXmedia rightsMonday Night FootballNBCNFlnfl broadcastsnfl mediaSunday Night Football Newsletter Subscription Can't Miss Posts! Women in Sports: NHL Network Host, Jackie Redmond by Nicholas Durst | posted on March 4, 2019 Women in Sports: Podcast Host, New York Riptide Sideline Reporter, Dani Wexelman by Luke Porco | posted on March 3, 2020 From Paramus High School to CBS Sports, Spero Dedes is making waves in sports broadcasting by Sunil Sunder Raj | posted on October 27, 2020 Lochte, Dressel and Ledecky all Chasing Gold at 2021 Tokyo Olympics by Anthony Paradiso | posted on April 18, 2021 “Overtime” l Ep. 28: TopSpin Celeb-Athlete Tournament – Dec. 6, 2018 by Stefany Romero | posted on December 19, 2018 More in BIZ You Know I’m Right, Episode 113: New York Post Columnist Phil Mushnick (Audio/Video) On the 113th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... You Know I’m Right, Episode 112: New York Jets’ Insider Brian Costello (Audio/Video) On the 112th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... How the You Know I’m Right Podcast Reached 100 Episodes On March 29, 2021, the You Know I’m Right Podcast published it’s 100th episode... You Know I’m Right, Episode 111: New York Giants’ Insider John Schmeelk (Audio/Video) On the 111th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... LeBron James Praises Barack Obama’s Walk-Off Gym Shot More bad news for the NFL: Baltimore Ravens place 7 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list