National Football League

What National Football League does

The National Football League is an unincorporated, member-owned 501(c)(6) trade association of 32 franchise clubs founded in 1920 and headquartered in New York. Through its commercial arm NFL Enterprises LLC and operating subsidiaries (NFL Films, NFL Network, NFL+, NFL Shop, On Location Experiences, NFL Football Operations, the NFL Foundation, and USA Football), it operates the most-watched professional sports league in the United States, producing and licensing a 272-game regular season, playoffs, the Super Bowl, the Draft, and the Pro Bowl Games.

The league's product surface spans broadcast television (CBS, FOX, NBC), cable (ESPN/NFL Network), premium streaming (Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Peacock, YouTube, Paramount+), and direct-to-consumer (NFL+ Premium, $6.99/month standalone or $39.99/month bundled with Disney+/Hulu/ESPN). Underlying technology is anchored by a decade-long AWS partnership powering Next Gen Stats — evolving from RFID tracking toward optical-tracking AI/ML models for biomechanics, game tactics, and injury risk — and a unified Electronic Health Record system deployed across all 32 clubs. A live game data feed is licensed exclusively to online sportsbooks through Genius Sports.

The NFL monetizes through pooled media rights (over $110 billion committed through the early 2030s under a Sports Broadcasting Act antitrust exemption), category-exclusive multi-year sponsorships (American Express for payments, U.S. Bank for banking, Kraft Heinz for condiments, Verizon for 5G, Invisalign for oral care), merchandise licensing (Topps/Fanatics, Nike, Roots), ticketing (Ticketmaster, On Location), equity-linked deals (10% ESPN stake, Genius Sports minority), and emerging growth bets in flag football and international markets (9 regular-season games planned across 7 countries in 2026).

Name

National Football League

Legal name

NFL Enterprises LLC

Website

https://nfl.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The National Football League is a member-owned trade association of 32 U.S. franchises that produces, distributes, and licenses the most-watched professional sports content in America through broadcast, streaming, sponsorships, merchandise, and licensed betting data.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Sports League Operations & Media Rights

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

American Football Leagues (MPAKAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

National Sports Broadcast Networks (MPABAAAC)

Keywords

• Professional sports league
• Media rights licensing
• Sports sponsorship sales
• Live sports streaming
• Licensed sports merchandise

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Media rights (broadcast & streaming): Long-term media rights deals currently worth over $110 billion through the early 2030s; the league is seeking 50%+ increases on existing $2.1 billion annual deals. Includes separate packages with Amazon, Netflix, Comcast, Disney, Fox, Paramount, and ESPN.
2. Sponsorships: Multi-category sponsorship portfolio including payments (American Express), banking (U.S. Bank), condiments (Kraft Heinz), telecom (Verizon, $1B+ deal), oral care (Invisalign), with active expansion into luxury (Breitling, autos, haute couture). Includes presenting sponsorship of Super Bowl MVP Award and NFL Flag Championships.
3. Subscription / Direct-to-consumer streaming (NFL+): NFL+ Premium subscription service offering live games, RedZone, NFL Network, game replays, and exclusive shows; bundled with Disney+, Hulu, ESPN at $39.99/month; monthly at $6.99.
4. Equity monetization (ESPN): ESPN closed acquisition of NFL Network, NFL Fantasy, and RedZone distribution rights; NFL received 10% equity stake in ESPN as part of the transaction.
5. Licensing & merchandising: Multi-year licensing deals with Topps/Fanatics Collectibles for NFL trading cards; Roots for Canadian apparel; Nike stitched jerseys; merchandise partnerships and licensing revenue across categories.
6. Live game data licensing (Genius Sports): Genius Sports serves as exclusive supplier of NFL's live game data to online sportsbooks; the NFL was Genius Sports' largest shareholder from 2021 to 2025 and remains its second-largest shareholder.
7. Game-day operations / ticketing: Ticketing via Ticketmaster, VIP experiences via On Location, and contracted operational services (e.g., Contemporary Services Corporation providing security and crowd management at Super Bowl LX).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Core offering

The National Football League operates the premier professional American football league in the U.S. as a 32-member-club trade association, producing and distributing live games, video content, and licensed products to fans, broadcasters, sponsors, and sportsbooks. It monetizes primarily through centralized media rights (broadcast and streaming), category-exclusive sponsorships, subscription streaming (NFL+), merchandise licensing, and live-event ticketing and VIP experiences. The league also operates supporting businesses such as NFL Films, NFL Network, NFL Shop, Next Gen Stats, and youth/community programs.

Product overview

The National Football League operates a multi-product media and events platform anchored by its official website NFL.com, the NFL mobile apps, and the NFL+ direct-to-consumer streaming service. The streaming layer comprises tiered modules — NFL+ Monthly, NFL+ Premium, NFL Game Replays, and NFL RedZone — and sits alongside NFL Network (still owned and operated by the league) and NFL Films long-form video (Hard Knocks, documentaries). The data and analytics layer is built on Next Gen Stats (powered by AWS) and the NFL PRO scouting platform, with NFL IQ providing draft analytics. The commerce layer includes the NFL Shop, NFL Auction, On Location VIP experiences, and Ticketmaster ticketing integration. Community, health, and growth programs — NFL PLAY 60, NFL Flag, the NFL Foundation, the NFL Academy, and the International Player Pathway Program — extend the league's reach globally, and the NFL supplies live game data to sportsbooks exclusively through Genius Sports.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NFL+: League's direct-to-consumer streaming subscription service offering live local and primetime games, NFL Network, RedZone, and on-demand content.
• NFL Network
• NFL Films
• NFL Shop
• NFL Flag
• NFL PLAY 60
• NFL Innovation Hub
• Professional Flag Football League
• NFL Academy
• International Player Pathway program
• NFL Next Gen Stats

Products and services

• NFL+ Direct-to-consumer streaming subscription offering live local and primetime regular-season games on mobile/tablet, NFL RedZone, NFL Network, on-demand game replays, and exclusive original shows for U.S. and international NFL fans.
• NFL Network League-owned cable television channel providing 24/7 NFL programming, analysis, and live game broadcasts, including select ESPN games that move to NFL Network.
• NFL RedZone Whip-around live broadcast that jumps between every Sunday afternoon game to show key plays and scoring drives, distributed via NFL+ and through the ESPN partnership.
• Next Gen Stats AWS-powered analytics platform delivering real-time player tracking, predictive stats, win probability, and biomechanical insights, built on a decade-long NFL-AWS partnership evolving from RFID tracking toward advanced optical-tracking AI models.
• Hard Knocks NFL Films-produced documentary series providing behind-the-scenes access to NFL training camps; the 2026 slate features the Seattle Seahawks and the 2027 slate the New England Patriots.
• NFL Shop Official merchandise storefront (NFLShop.com) selling licensed NFL jerseys, hats, training-camp and Draft merchandise, and Super Bowl champion apparel for fans and collectors.
• NFL Flag Official youth and amateur flag football program offering flag football curriculum, the NFL Flag Championships presented by Toyota, and grassroots pathways leading up to flag football's Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
• NFL PLAY 60 Youth fitness and health initiative co-run with the American Heart Association since 2006, reaching millions of youth via school programs, community events, and the NFL PLAY 60 Exercise Library promoting 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
• NFL live game data feed Real-time in-game data feed delivered exclusively to online sportsbooks via Genius Sports, central to the league's licensed sports betting data partnerships.
• On Location Experiences League-operated premium live-event/VIP hospitality business offering VIP packages for regular season, playoffs, Super Bowl, Draft, Combine, and Pro Bowl Games to fans and corporate clients.
• NFL.com Official NFL website functioning as the league's primary content, news, video, and team portal, hosting scores, schedules, stats, news, video, podcasts, and links into NFL+, NFL Shop, and team sites.
• NFL Mobile App Official iOS and Android mobile applications delivering news, scores, video, and access to NFL+ live local/primetime games on phone and tablet, positioned as the primary on-the-go league experience for fans.
• NFL Auction Official memorabilia auction platform linked from NFL.com, allowing fans to bid on autographed items, game-used equipment, and collectibles.
• NFL Academy UK-based program building international pathways for elite athletes, including the first overseas coach to win a Super Bowl, supporting player development and coaching pipelines outside the U.S.
• International Player Pathway Program League initiative providing international prospects an opportunity to be evaluated by NFL scouts, including an annual Pro Day in Ashburn, Virginia, with players eligible for the NFL Draft or signing periods.

Quantifiable outcome

• $25 billion record-high annual revenue
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and flagship.

• SPORT BEACH (Brand Advisory Board)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 April 2026NFL joined SPORT BEACH's Brand Advisory Board alongside Adobe, e.l.f. Cosmetics, Levi Strauss & Co, NBCUniversal, PepsiCo, State Farm, 72andSunny to guide platform expansion from flagship events into a year-round collective launching in 2026.
• QantasmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 April 2026Official airline partner of the NFL in Australia and New Zealand, supporting the league's first regular season game in Melbourne in September. Operates charter flights for teams and connects fans to the game through its extensive network.
• U.S. BankflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 April 2026Multi-year Official Bank and Wealth Management Sponsor, replacing Visa (and previously Truist). Includes presenting sponsorship of the Super Bowl MVP Award and NFL Flag Championships, plus a U.S. Bank Financial Edge program for player financial literacy. Marks the return of banking rights to the NFL after over 30 years.
• Big 12 ConferencemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026The Big 12 will become the first FBS conference to sponsor women's flag football starting in 2028 with at least six teams. Led in collaboration with the NFL to promote growth at collegiate and high school levels.
• American ExpressflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 March 2026Multi-year global Official Payments Partnership replacing Visa, starting with the 2026 season. Provides American Express Card Members exclusive access and experiences at NFL events such as the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, and international games. A new NFL-themed credit card for U.S. fans is being launched.
• Paramount Skydance / CBS SportsflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 30 March 2026Multi-year media rights renewal under negotiation, expected to grow 50-60% from the current $2.1B annual deal to above $3B annually following Paramount's merger with Skydance Media triggering a change-of-ownership clause. Paramount Skydance Chair & CEO David Ellison confirmed the company plans to remain an NFL media rights partner.
• Kraft HeinzflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2026Five-year global strategic partnership making Kraft Heinz the NFL's first-ever global condiment partner. HEINZ, KRAFT, VELVEETA, and A1 brands gain stadium visibility, co-branded marketing, limited-edition packaging, and retail activations across Super Bowl, NFL Kickoff, Thanksgiving, and NFL Draft in Pittsburgh (April 2026). Includes access to select overseas games to support the NFL's international expansion.
• InvisalignmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 March 2026Renewed 5-year sponsorship deal with the NFL, continuing category exclusivity in oral care/aligners.
• TMRW SportsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2026Selected to operate the NFL's new professional flag football league, planned to launch as a single entity with potential future franchise sales. First expansion beyond golf for TMRW Sports (parent of TGL). NFL targeting market entry before flag football's 2028 Los Angeles Olympics debut.
• Visit CaliforniamajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 February 2026Multi-year Official Partner of the NFL in Canada (through 2027), with sponsorship rights also extending to Mexico, Australia, and the UK. Leverages California's hosting of Super Bowls in San Francisco Bay Area (2026) and Los Angeles (2027). Targets 15.6 million NFL fans in Canada.
• ESPN / Walt Disney CompanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026ESPN finalized acquisition of NFL Network, NFL Fantasy, and RedZone distribution rights after U.S. DOJ approval. The NFL received a 10% equity stake in ESPN, with NFL Media employees integrating into ESPN beginning April 2026. The NFL retains ownership of NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, and RedZone digital distribution rights; four ESPN games now move to NFL Network.
• U.S. Department of StatemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2026Signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a sports diplomacy partnership aimed at promoting American football globally, including hosting events abroad, facilitating exchanges, and supporting international tournaments.
• Roots (Canada)minorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 9 December 2025Launched a limited-edition six-piece apparel capsule for Super Bowl LX, exclusively available at NFLShop.ca, celebrating six decades of the Super Bowl's cultural significance with Canadian-inspired designs.
• Bob Woodruff FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 July 2024Renewed $5.7 million two-year grant to support veteran and military communities through nonprofit initiatives focused on healthy lifestyles and social connectedness. Collaboration since 2018 has previously impacted over 600,000 individuals. NFL has raised over $73 million for military causes since 2011.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)flagshipTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2016Decade-long partnership powering Next Gen Stats platform. Evolved from RFID-based player tracking to advanced AI/machine learning models analyzing player biomechanics, game tactics, and injury risks. Plans to incorporate optical tracking for more detailed biomechanical analysis.
• Verizon CommunicationsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDecade-long Official 5G Network sponsorship worth more than $1 billion (struck in 2021). Gives Verizon rights to use NFL branding in advertising and deploy network technology at NFL venues; Verizon won 5G connectivity metrics at Super Bowl LX with median download speeds of 1464.38 Mbps.
• Amazon (Prime Video)flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Thursday Night Football streaming partner. Also: Amazon is transitioning its small business credit card portfolio to U.S. Bank and the Mastercard network.
• NetflixflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStreaming partner for NFL Christmas Day games and select exclusive games. Netflix is expanding its NFL package from two to four games including a Thanksgiving Eve game and an international game. Commissioned the 'Quarterback' documentary series.
• Fox Corp.flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAcquired rights to two additional NFL games for the upcoming 2026 season — a Saturday game during week 10 and another game during week 15 (part of a Sunday triple header including an overseas game in Munich). CEO Lachlan Murdoch confirmed the acquisition on Fox's earnings call.
• Visit Victoria / Victorian State Government (Australia)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with the NFL to host Australia's first-ever regular-season NFL game (Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026). Tickets via Ticketmaster and Sportsnet.
• International Federation of American Football (IFAF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated to host a four-day series of flag football development clinics in Ghana, including a teachers clinic for ~40 educators and an Africa Coaching Clinic with representatives from 11 African nations. Supports flag football's Olympic debut at 2028 Los Angeles Games.
• Make-A-Wish / FanaticsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMake-A-Wish, the NFL, and Fanatics teamed up to grant Make-A-Wish's largest-ever Super Bowl event, fulfilling 24 wishes for critically ill children and their families to attend Super Bowl LX with merchandise credits and stadium tours.
• Topps / Fanatics CollectiblesmajorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerMulti-year licensing deal covering NFL and NFLPA rights, returning NFL trading cards to Topps in 2025 after a hiatus since 2016; includes exclusive rookie and NFL Honors autograph cards.
• Everfi (mental wellness education)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerNFL Foundation partners with Everfi (alongside HCA Healthcare, MLB, Elevance Health, Guardian, Kroger, and Truth Initiative) to deliver mental wellness and prevention education programs to K-12 students, reaching nearly one million students during the 2025-26 school year.
• American Heart Association (PLAY 60)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer since 2006 of NFL PLAY 60 youth fitness events promoting 60 minutes of daily physical activity for children; reaches millions of youth via school programs, community events, and the NFL PLAY 60 Exercise Library featuring videos from all 32 NFL teams.
• MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), Diageo, UbermajorGTM or Marketing Partner'Take a Minute. Make a Plan. Never Drive Impaired' campaign in year two, promoting responsible behavior and preventing impaired driving during NFL game days in the US. Engaged over a million people to date with digital and local activations culminating in Super Bowl efforts.
• GENYOUth / Pittsburgh Steelers (Taste of the Draft)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity impact initiative in Pittsburgh aligned with the 2026 NFL Draft to combat student food insecurity and promote physical activity. Includes a fundraising dinner, grants for school nutrition equipment, and physical activity programs for schools.
• EverPass Media (NFL/RedBird Capital joint venture)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStarting with the 2026 season, EverPass becomes the exclusive commercial option for NFL Sunday Ticket, requiring bars and restaurants to adopt new hardware and expanded broadband. Joint venture between the NFL and RedBird Capital.
• Genius Sports (NFL live data licensee)majorTechnology or IntegrationGenius Sports serves as exclusive supplier of the NFL's live game data to online sportsbooks. The NFL was Genius Sports' largest shareholder from 2021 to 2025 and remains its second-largest shareholder.
• StrongAfter.orgminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStrongAfter.org, a nonprofit supporting male survivors of sexual abuse and assault, received seed funding from the National Football League for initial development of its OSWALT™ AI-powered trauma-informed survivor support tool.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Basketball Association (NBA): The NBA is the closest US professional sports league peer to the NFL, operating the same franchise-based league model with national TV rights, corporate sponsorships, and direct-to-consumer streaming (League Pass). Both leagues compete for the same prime-time broadcast slots, the same Fortune 500 sponsor categories, and the same bettor attention via league data deals, making NBA economics the most relevant comparable for NFL valuation.
• Major League Baseball (MLB): MLB is a fellow US professional sports league with 30 franchises, centrally pooled national media rights (ESPN, FOX, TBS), corporate sponsorships, MLB.TV streaming, and league-operated data partnerships with sportsbooks. MLB's media-rights renewal cycle, franchise valuations, and international growth (London, Mexico City games) provide a direct comparable framework for the NFL's own media and expansion trajectory.
• National Hockey League (NHL): The NHL operates the same US/Canada-based professional league model as the NFL with pooled national media rights (ESPN, TNT), corporate sponsorships, NHL.tv streaming, and franchise-based economics. Both leagues share exposure to the same broadcast and streaming partners and to the same Canadian expansion play, making the NHL a relevant comparable for tier-two US sports league economics.
• Major League Soccer (MLS): MLS is a US professional sports league with Apple TV as a global streaming partner, centrally negotiated sponsorships (Adidas, etc.), and an active franchise-fee-driven expansion strategy mirroring the NFL's growth playbook. MLS's experience with single global streaming deals, soccer-specific stadium economics, and international player pathways provides a relevant comparable for the NFL's international games expansion and streaming strategy.
• Premier League: The Premier League is the global benchmark for centrally pooled media rights (currently ~£10B+ for the 2025-2028 cycle across Sky, TNT, BBC), international distribution (200+ territories), and category-exclusive sponsorships (Barclays, EA Sports, Nike). Its media-rights architecture and global brand reach provide a direct comparable for the NFL's aspirations to scale internationally beyond the US.
• NCAA: The NCAA operates the college sports ecosystem that feeds NFL talent, including the College Football Playoff with its own multi-billion-dollar media rights (ESPN, $7.8B deal through 2032). NCAA football is the closest comparable for the NFL's talent pipeline, March Madness-style tournament broadcast economics, and amateur-to-professional pathway programs.
• Formula 1: Formula 1 is a global motorsport series that, like the NFL, has executed a successful international expansion strategy, signed premium category sponsorships (DHL, Rolex, AWS), and built proprietary data and broadcast graphics partnerships. F1's transformation under Liberty Media into a media-and-events-led property with growing US viewership provides a relevant comparable for the NFL's premium-content and international playbook.

Broad incumbents

• FIFA: FIFA is the global governing body for soccer and operates the most-watched single sporting event (World Cup) with comparable revenue scale, central sponsorship rights (Coca-Cola, Adidas, Visa), and international event monetization. FIFA's experience monetizing national-team rights, governing-body IP, and global tournament broadcasting provides a relevant (broader and non-franchise-based) comparable for the NFL's international strategy.
• World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE): WWE is a publicly traded sports entertainment property that monetizes premium live content via pay-per-view, Peacock streaming (US), and international distribution, and recently underwent a strategic merger with UFC under TKO Group Holdings. WWE's premium-content direct-to-consumer economics and international media rights strategy provide an adjacent comparable for the NFL's streaming and international approach.
• Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC): UFC, now part of TKO Group Holdings alongside WWE, operates a global combat sports property with ESPN pay-per-view, international rights deals, and category-exclusive sponsorships (Venum, Toyo Tires). UFC's premium-event monetization model and international growth trajectory provide an adjacent comparable for the NFL's premium live-event and international expansion approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nfl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/NFL
• Facebookfacebook.com/NFL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-football-league
• Instagraminstagram.com/nfl
• TikToktiktok.com/@nfl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors7 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments15 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Football League