The NFL and Verizon agreed to a 10-year-deal, extending a longtime partnership between the two sides that will broaden the league’s digital capabilities.
Financial details for the deal were not announced. The previous agreement was to have expired in 2023.
The new agreement puts an emphasis on 5G technology to improve how fans see the game both inside the stadiums and at home. It also could help teams with their operations.
“For the past decade, Verizon has been one of our key technology partners, helping with everything from digital distribution of NFL content, engaging our fans at the NFL’s biggest events, enhancing communications throughout the NFL ecosystem and upgrading technology within stadiums across the League,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a news release. “As we look to the next decade … Verizon will help us capitalize on the promise of 5G technology, paving the way for the future of the game and delivering incredible experiences for millions of NFL fans.”
In time for the new season, 25 NFL stadiums have been equipped with Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband service, accessible in parts of the venues. As the agreement goes on, the NFL could use the technology on the management side, with teams utilizing it for components such as scouting, training, health and safety, and game-day operations.
The NFL recently extended billions of dollars in agreements with other key media partners, including Disney, NBCUniversal, ViacomCBS, Fox and Amazon.
–Field Level Media