Report: Multiple companies looking to steal away NFL Sunday Ticket

This upcoming NFL season, we can expect to see a lot of change amongst various networks broadcasting teams. But one thing that was not expected that is in the works is a massive change for NFL Sunday Ticket. According to one report, the most popular way to get out of market games is about to jump on the digital Streaming train.

In an article posted by John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal, sources close to the situation believe that NFL Sunday Ticket will move exclusively to streaming services in 2023. It is believed that major online streaming companies such as Apple, Amazon, and Disney are all in the running to create their own packages for the service.

As it currently stands, Apple and Amazon are the two frontrunners to begin packaging out of market NFL games. However, that does not mean that Disney, the owners of ESPN which stream sports media through ESPN+, has bowed out of the race. Disney’s offer is said to be well below the amount Apple and Amazon have discussed.

The negotiations are still ongoing between these companies and the NFL. So, at this current point, it will be difficult to pinpoint where they are at in the bidding process. However, those same sources believe that it is likely the NFL will get an amount exceeding $2 billion per year for the rights to Sunday Ticket.

ESPN wants Joe Buck too

When the NFL season starts up in the fall, the broadcast booth is going to look a bit different. Troy Aikman, who has been the lead color commentator at Fox for 20 seasons, will be calling games for ESPN and Monday Night Football. The World Wide Leader still has a major spot to fill though, needing a play-by-play announcer to compliment Aikman.

According to the New York Post, Joe Buck is going to be the target for ESPN. It would keep the duo that has been calling some of the NFL’s biggest games for two decades together and replace a booth of Steve Leevy, Brian Griese, and Louis Riddick. Buck would be leaving behind more than just football, as he is currently the voice of baseball for Fox, calling the World Series since 1996, with an exception of two seasons.

If Buck is not able to be persuaded to join ESPN, former NBC Sunday Night Football play-by-play announcer Al Michaels would be the target. It would be the broadcaster’s second stint in the prime time slot, calling Monday Night Football for 20 seasons on ABC.