The NFL is in negotiations with Paramount to renew the broadcasting contract for its Sunday afternoon games on CBS. According to sources close to the matter, discussions center on an increase of between 50% and 60% over the current amount. CBS currently pays approximately $2.1bn per year for these rights, which would bring the bill to more than $3bn per season under a new agreement. In exchange, the league would agree to remove the opt-out clause scheduled after the 2029-2030 season in the current contract.

If the deal is finalized, CBS would begin paying the new rate as early as next season for the eight remaining years of the partnership, which runs through the 2033-2034 season, while retaining the same package of games. The NFL initiated these discussions as a priority with CBS due to a clause related to the change of control of Paramount following its acquisition by Skydance Media, which could theoretically allow the league to terminate the contract as early as 2027. Paramount forecasts an adjusted EBITDA of $3.6bn for 2026, while the entity resulting from its envisioned merger with Warner Bros. Discovery would target $18bn.

This renegotiation could influence the entire sports rights market. The NFL could subsequently hold discussions with Fox, which currently pays about $2.2bn per year for the other Sunday afternoon slot. Other broadcasters, such as Amazon, NBC, and Disney, are also affected by the 2029-2030 opt-out clause. A comparable hike might be harder to accept for certain groups, notably Disney, which already pays approximately $2.7bn per year for Monday Night Football. The progress of these negotiations is also being closely monitored by other leagues such as the NHL, whose current contracts expire in 2028.