Popular sports analyst and radio host Chris Russo has publicly criticized NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s decision to keep an NFL playoff game as a Peacock exclusive.
This game, between the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins, gathered a viewership of over 20 million people.
On an episode of ESPN’s First Take, Russo expressed his doubts over Goodell’s assertion that the younger generation prefers streaming platforms to traditional television broadcasts.
Mad Dog just torched Roger Goodell for defending the Peacock playoff game pic.twitter.com/wYf9olaqVi
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 7, 2024
He based his argument on the counterpoint that the young demographic could just as easily fetch the game on basic channels like NBC.
Russo’s blunt criticism of the decision resonated with a substantial portion of sports fans, leading to extensive debate about the broader implications of such choices on viewer accessibility.
“The idea that they’re doing the young audience a tremendous service by showing a game in the postseason on streaming is a bunch of freaking nonsense! They did it because the NBC people gave them $110 million for the one stupid game! So all the owners they split the $55 million and make a fortune…” Russo said. “This is not about little Timmy Russo, little Colin Russo, little Kira Russo. This is about making money! And next year another postseason game is on Peacock…”
The underlying belief around this decision is the assertion that it was more of a cash grab rather than a strategic move to satiate the interests of the younger viewer demographic.
Streaming models, like Peacock, offer improved overall profits, making them an attractive choice for broadcasters and sports leagues.
“Good, he should. It was a money grab. They didn’t do that for the fans. They did it for the $110 million check. And the even bigger check that Amazon is probably going to pay for that game next year,” one user replied.
“All I can say is that if any Packers playoff games next season are on streaming only, Roger Goodell probably should stay away from the 2025 NFL draft, which will be held in Green Bay,” wrote another.
With streaming platforms emerging as a potentially profitable avenue, the shift from traditional television broadcasts could impact fans who still rely on basic cable for their sports consumption.
The question remains: Is this move shortchanging traditional viewers?
With viewers like Russo expressing dissatisfaction with the increasing shift towards exclusive digital broadcasting, it prompts game organizers and broadcasters to consider balancing profit generation with consumer preferences.
