Will Monday Night Football be on ABC in 2024?
Will Monday Night Football be on ABC in 2024?
By Edcel Panganiban July 22, 2024 07:38
MNF became a fixture of primetime broadcast network television in the United States for 50 years, beginning with its debut on ABC in 1970. Among other sports highlights, the network broadcast MNF exclusively until 2006, when ESPN acquired its rights.
ESPN currently owns the solo broadcast rights to Monday Night Football, and they're under a deal that runs from 2014 through next season. The network shells out around $1.9 billion per year to get the package, which consists of 17 regular-season games as well as one Wild Card playoff game.
Contract Renewal and Bidding Process in the Future
The current contract between ESPN/ABC and MNF is scheduled to end after the 2021 season. With the NFL set to begin negotiations on new media rights deals for the 2022 season and beyond, Monday night football could be headed back to ABC.
The league plans to put the MNF rights up for bid, allowing other networks and streaming services to compete for that package. Some industry estimates say the NFL could double or even triple ESPN's current $1.9 billion yearly in new rights fees.
Chances of ABC Keeping the Show
With the package still valuable, there is no telling if ABC/ESPN can keep it for 2021 and beyond. The outcome of the bidding process will be impacted by several other factors, such as:
Viewership Trends
The ratings for Monday Night Football in recent years as the NFL's overall numbers take a collective dip. That could potentially reduce the package's attractiveness to a bidder, thus putting ABC/ESPN in an inferior bargaining position.
Advertising Revenue
MNF is one of ESPN's biggest revenue generators, and the package delivers an estimated $700 million in advertising per season. The network will make it a key priority to keep this valuable revenue stream alive in the negotiations.
Network Strategies
Fox, CBS, and NBC could potentially bid up the price for MNF as a valuable addition to their NFL portfolios. Furthermore, the involvement of tech giants such as Amazon and Apple in bidding for live sports rights may complicate matters further.
Other Parties With Possible Claim to the Rights
Monday Night Football Could Attract Bids from Multiple Networks, Streamers
ESPN/ABC
As the current rights holder, ESPN/ABC is expected to mount a significant bid that leverages its built-in infrastructure and league relationships.
Fox
Fox has aggressively acquired NFL rights by holding the NFC package. The network could see MNF as an opportunity to bolster its NFL portfolio.
CBS
CBS is also possibly interested, as it could use such a deal to bolster its presence in the NFL beyond its current AFC package.
NBC
NBC has also had great success with Sunday Night Football before, so I figure the NFL could take a look at the Peacock as a competitor to Monday nights.
Streaming Services
As with all of these potential packages, tech giants like Amazon, Apple, and Google (YouTube) would also be in play for MNF rights to beef up their streaming services.
Technological Advancements
If the league wants to leverage all of streaming and digital media advancements, it may need its games on platforms that offer unique ways for fans to watch and engage with them.
What This Means for Fans and the Future of Monday Night Football
Losing MNF would be nothing short of an era-ending for ABC, which has long been associated with the marquee game of the week window since its beginning. If the deal passes, fans might have to endure a transition period as they get used to watching their favorite games on another broadcast network, listening to new commentators, or experiencing unfamiliar production elements.
Additionally, the absence of MNF would have larger consequences for ABC sports programming and its overall strategy. The network may have to reexamine the makeup of its sports portfolio and other strategies for staying connected to live programming.
On the other hand, keeping MNF in-house could lock ABC/ESPN into being a top-flight NFL coverage destination and preserve one of the most storied TV sports franchises for years to come.
In the end, whatever happens with MNF rights will shape much of what the NFL primetime showcase looks like and how millions across the country watch it.
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