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The National Football League is waiting till the very last possible minute to announce the 2021 salary cap, and for good reason. The league’s contract with Disney, who also owns ESPN and ABC, is about to expire, and the league is asking a king’s ransom for the next contract.
Disney paid the NFL $1.9 billion dollars a year under the terms of their last contract, and the league reportedly was asking them to double that amount for their next deal. Obviously, Disney scoffed at the idea, and Friday reports circulated of a deal being reached between Disney and the NFL.
A report circulated of a deal being done.
The NFL said it wasn’t a done deal.
A new report said they were close.
Now the latest report said the two sides have reached a “broad agreement” on a new deal. This per ProFootballTalk:
John Ourand of Sports Business Journal reports that the two sides have reached a “broad agreement” of terms for a 10-year extension of their current deal. Monday Night Football will remain on ESPN and ABC will be part of the Super Bowl rotation for the first time since 2006.
The deal has not been signed yet, but it is expected to come with a price tag between $2.4 and $2.6 billion per year.
CBS, FOX and NBC are also expected to extend their deals with Amazon seen as a likely winner of rights for Thursday night games. The league has been aiming to finalize all of the pacts ahead of setting the salary cap and Friday’s news is a step in that direction.
A deal between the NFL and Disney could not only help lift a potentially sagging salary cap in 2021, but it could also start a chain of other deals with other affiliates. It is worth noting the contracts with the other NFL affiliates doesn’t expire until 2022.
How could this impact the league and the 2021 season? We will all find out at the same time once a finalized deal is announced.
Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers as they prepare for the upcoming league year, NFL Free Agency and the 2021 NFL Draft.