The NFL Network was launched over 20 years ago with high expectations, but it never quite lived up to its potential. Despite this, the network managed to survive for two decades. Now, in a time when the NFL is more profitable than ever and team values are on the rise, the league seems to be downplaying its own broadcast operation. This decision has puzzled many in the industry.
Some believe that recent changes, such as moving Good Morning Football from New York to L.A. and canceling Total Access, are part of cost-cutting measures in preparation for potentially selling off the operation to ESPN. However, according to Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal, a simpler explanation is that league executives are realizing that studio shows and on-air talent do not drive business as much as they once thought.
The league once saw the value in having an in-house platform for publicity and messaging, but something has shifted. The NFL appears to no longer place importance on these studio shows and the personalities who deliver their messages. Without engaging content and discussions about the NFL, viewers may lose interest in NFL Network. Presently, the network mostly airs reruns of old games and documentaries, which can be accessed easily through other platforms.
The days of watching something simply because it’s on TV are gone. If profit maximization is the goal, it may make sense for the league to sell off the exclusive content to the highest bidder and shut down the network altogether
