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The NFL could be on the verge of a meaningful shift in how fans consume preseason football, as the league explores new ways to expand its already massive media empire. A proposal expected to be discussed at an upcoming owners meeting would allow teams to sell the television rights to their preseason games, and even additional content, to streaming platforms, marking a potential departure from decades of tradition.
For years, the NFL has operated under a centralized media structure, with the league controlling national broadcast deals for regular season and playoff games. Preseason contests, by contrast, have traditionally been handled locally, with teams partnering with regional TV affiliates for distribution.
This model has kept operations straightforward but limited the financial upside for individual franchises. Local rights deals typically bring in only a few million dollars per team, with larger-market teams occasionally seeing slightly higher returns.
By giving franchises the ability to negotiate directly with streaming services, the league is opening the door to a new revenue stream that could benefit both small and large-market teams alike.
Reports indicate that teams may soon gain the ability to negotiate directly with streaming services for preseason broadcasts. While these games would still air in local markets, the added flexibility could expand distribution nationally and attract a broader audience.
Industry insiders have described this opportunity as a "small but intriguing" asset, one that could grow in value over time, especially as streaming continues to dominate the sports media landscape.
This flexibility may also allow teams to explore new forms of content, such as exclusive behind-the-scenes programming, player-focused shows, and coach-led features, which could further deepen fan engagement and create additional monetization opportunities.
New revenue stream emerges
The timing of this potential shift is no coincidence. The NFL's media rights business is already worth nearly $25 billion annually, and the league is actively exploring ways to increase that figure even further.
By allowing teams to monetize preseason games independently, the NFL could provide franchises with a much-needed financial boost while simultaneously increasing the league's overall visibility.
Interest in preseason football has also been steadily rising. In 2025, nationally televised preseason games averaged around 2.2 million viewers, the highest mark in several years.
This surge was driven in part by the excitement surrounding emerging stars and highly anticipated young quarterbacks, who transformed traditionally low-stakes matchups into must-watch events.
Streaming platforms, meanwhile, are aggressively seeking live sports content to attract and retain subscribers, and NFL preseason games could serve as an affordable, high-potential entry point for these companies.
If approved, the new plan would also allow teams to sell non-game programming, such as coaches' shows or behind-the-scenes features, to digital platforms. While the financial impact may initially be modest, the long-term implications are significant.