Verizon to Stream Post-Season NFL Games

Verizon will stream post-season National Football League games beginning in January as part of a multi-year deal reached between the telco and the league.

The deal calls for Verizon to stream 2018 NFL playoff games on its go90 service as well as its owned Yahoo and Yahoo Sports platforms, beginning in January. The deal also calls for streaming of future in-market and national pre-season, regular season and playoff games, including the Super Bowl, according to both parties.

In addition to the expanded availability of live games, the new agreement will provide users mobile access to NFL highlights, coverage of NFL throughout the week and year, and jointly-developed original content.

Along with the deal, Verizon will continue to be an Official Sponsor of the NFL, according to both parties.

“We’re making a commitment to fans for Verizon’s family of media properties to become the mobile destination for live sports,” said Lowell McAdam, chair and CEO of Verizon Communications, in a statement. “The NFL is a great partner for us and we are excited to take its premier content across a massive mobile scale so viewers can enjoy live football and other original NFL content where and how they want it. We believe that partnerships like this are a win for fans, but also for partners and advertisers looking for a mobile-first experience.”

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell added: “Verizon has been a key NFL partner, both in the distribution of games on NFL mobile and as a sponsor, since 2010 and we’re thrilled to be both extending and expanding our relationship with them. Our expanded partnership with Verizon is great for our fans. Starting with the upcoming playoffs and for seasons to come, live NFL action directly on your mobile device -- regardless of carrier -- will give millions of fans additional ways to follow their favorite sport.” 

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.