The cost for fans to watch every NFL game this season has reached an estimated $1,400 annually, according to Activate Consulting, as the league’s media rights deals spread games across an expanding array of networks and streaming platforms. The figure highlights what Activate CEO Michael J. Wolf calls a ‘big affordability issue’ for American football fans.

‘It is a big affordability issue, and it’s just coming down to the value of teams versus the value of the viewer,’ Wolf said during an appearance on Fox Business’ Mornings with Maria. ‘We’re taking NFL, which is really one of the few things that drives people to watch sports across all these services, and we’re getting people to pay for it.’

For Los Angeles fans, the problem is particularly acute. With two NFL teams — the Rams and Chargers — plus a massive media industry workforce, LA viewers face a complex maze of broadcast and streaming options. Week 1 alone features games on NBC, Netflix, Fox, CBS, and ESPN, with no single service providing access to all matchups.

The 49ers-Rams season opener will be played in Australia and broadcast on Netflix, illustrating the growing complexity. Basic cable and an antenna provide roughly 15 hours of NFL per week, but accessing the full package requires cable plus multiple streaming subscriptions including NFL Sunday Ticket.

Wolf cited the enormous licensing fees driving the fragmentation. US sports leagues collect approximately $33 billion annually in media rights, with the NFL accounting for roughly a third. That figure is projected to grow from $11 billion to nearly $20 billion annually for the NFL alone.

‘Each of the leagues are doing everything they can to maximize the value,’ Wolf said, noting that the NFL’s licensing forecasts point to nearly doubling current revenue. The league has aggressively distributed game rights across traditional networks, streaming services, and even international platforms.

The cost burden falls unevenly across fans. Casual viewers who follow a single team may need only a few services, while dedicated fans seeking comprehensive coverage face the full $1,400 annual cost. For LA’s entertainment industry workers, many of whom already subscribe to multiple streaming services for professional purposes, adding NFL content represents additional household budget pressure.

Source: Fox Business