Netflix may be adding another big NFL property to its growing live-sports lineup. According to Front Office Sports, the streamer is closing in on a deal to air NFL Honors in 2027, with the report saying it is likely to become the exclusive broadcaster for the league’s annual awards show. NFL Honors has traditionally been simulcast by NFL Network and the Super Bowl rights partner, and last year it aired on NBC and NFL Network.
The move would fit neatly into Netflix’s larger sports strategy as it continues to add must-watch events rather than building a conventional weekly sports schedule. The streamer already has added NFL Christmas Day games over the past two seasons, a growing slate of MLB programming, and one-off live spectacles designed to feel special enough to pull in a broad audience.
Netflix has been clear with its “eventize” strategy of adding high-profile events to its lineup. This weekend, the platform will stream its first MA superfight between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, and it has also picked up the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao rematch set for September 19 from the Sphere in Las Vegas. Those events reinforce the idea that Netflix wants premium live programming that can cut through the noise and create a moment, not just another listing in a scrolling menu.
The NFL is clearly part of that long-term plan as Netflix is expected to air the league’s first-ever regular-season game from Australia. Melbourne is expected to host the 49ers and Rams on September 10, and the league may be planning to split additional games between YouTube and Netflix after ESPN gave back four games. These moves are the latest signal that the NFL’s streaming future could stretch well beyond the usual broadcast and cable partners.
That shift matters because the NFL’s next rights cycle is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet. Previously, it was reported that Sunday Night Football could become vulnerable when the league returns to market, with streaming giants such as Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video viewed as serious challengers to NBC’s hold on the package.
At the same time, the NFL’s streaming expansion is drawing more scrutiny. President Donald Trump criticized the league over the rising cost of TV as the Department of Justice continues examining potential anticompetitive issues tied to the NFL’s media practices
If the NFL Honors deal is finalized, it would be another clear sign that Netflix is no longer just a place for movies and series. It is becoming a major destination for live sports, major fights, and NFL programming in the streaming age. For the league, meanwhile, the move underscores just how central digital platforms have become to the future of football.
Credit: Front Office Sports