Netflix said to be eyeing NFL Christmas Day games as part of rumoured sports push

The NFL has reportedly delayed the release of its schedule because it is still in talks with Netflix

LA SCREENINGS: Netflix is among the frontrunners to secure the rights to a pair of National Football League (NFL) games that will be played on Christmas Day, according to US reports.

The move, which was first reported by Puck News, would represent the biggest sports-related move from the streaming giant to date.

The report noted that a deal was not yet done, though Netflix had emerged as the “likely winner.”

Puck also said the reason the NFL had delayed the release of its 2024/25 schedule until May 15 was because it was still negotiating with Netflix over the deal for the games. May 15 also happens to be the day Netflix will make its presentation to advertisers at the Upfronts in New York.

Netflix execs including co-CEO Ted Sarandos have repeatedly said they are not interested in major sports rights, noting on several occasions that “we’re not anti-sports, we’re just pro-profit.”

However, as the streamer has continued to build its roster of live events, including a tennis match between Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, an upcoming boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul and securing the long-term rights to WWE’s Monday Night Raw, many have started to expect that it will eventually look to bring major live sports to the platform.

Picking up the rights to the Christmas Day NFL games would be the clearest indication yet that Netflix is testing the waters and mulling a wider move into the sports space.

The report from Puck noted that the streamer and American football league “still have to clear some hurdles before any deal is announced.”