Why Billions of TV Dollars Are at Stake as NFL Closes in on a New Labor Deal
The NFL is close to stiff-arming a major obstacle as it seeks to win billions of dollars from TV networks that crave professional football. The league is at the goal line for a new collective bargaining agreement with its players, which would ensure labor peace for the next 10 years. Though it still needs to get approval from the players — which is far from guaranteed — the NFL is hopeful it can complete the new deal before it signs new TV contracts with its media partners. The proposed agreement would incorporate the biggest change to the NFL schedule in 20 years: the expansion of the playoff field from 12 to 14 teams and the addition of a 17th game to the regular season. Not only would a new labor deal remove the specter of a potential work stoppage from hanging over the TV rights negotiations, but those extra games could see the league double the $6.5 billion it currently gets from its TV partners. Also Read: From 'The Bachelor' to 'Avengers,' How Bob Iger Grew Disney From a Mouse Into a Media Goliath “If they do get an extra set of playoff games, they’ll be able to create a...
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