NFL Extends Deal With DirecTV
DANA POINT, Calif.--The NFL has extended its agreement with DirecTV for the league's "Sunday Ticket" package, the league and the satellite carrier announced today.
The new deal runs through the 2014 season, according to the announcement.
The league's five-year agreement with DirecTV, worth approximately $700 million per season, was to expire following the 2010 season.
The deal is worth an average of approximately $1 billion per season, a source said. According to the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because financial terms of the deal were not released, DirecTV must pay the rights fee to the NFL in 2011 even there is a lockout.
Under the terms of the deal, the "Red Zone" channel that has been on DirecTV for the past four seasons also will be available on other cable and satellite systems and Internet providers no later than 2012. The channel switches from game to game, showing live action when a team advances the ball inside its opponent's 20-yard line.
Also under the deal, consumers in areas in which DirecTV service is not available will be able to purchase a new "Sunday Ticket" broadband package, according to the announcement.
By
Mark Maske
|
March 23, 2009; 6:18 PM ET
| Category:
League
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Television
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Posted by: delOH | March 24, 2009 8:12 AM
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If this deal is worth $300M a season more than the last deal, doesn't this play into the hands of the NFLPA on the next agreement? $300M is a big increase in these times, even in the NFL fantasy money world. Also, just how much does DirecTV profit on this package if they'll sign off on paying $1B even in a lockout season? That must be some profit margin!