Top execs from the NFL's TV partners had meetings with the league in June, and each network "delivered a similar, yet simple, message: They all want to stay in business with the NFL and are prepared to dig deep into their pockets," according to John Ourand in this week's SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL. Execs from CBS, Fox and NBC on June 3 "flew separately to Foxboro, Mass., for the NFL's first official meetings to determine how the league’s next round of media rights will shake out," and the following day, the NFL "met with ESPN’s top executives via a video conference call." The meetings have "not been made public until now." Both the NFL and the media companies "wanted to maintain secrecy and avoid the appearance of negotiating through the press." This round of media rights is "likely to maintain the status quo." Execs left those meetings "believing they could have broad media rights agreements in hand by Labor Day, with contracts signed by the end of the year," though that timeline "now appears to be too optimistic." The NFL has held "no formal talks after those initial meetings, and none are on the schedule as the league has turned its attention to starting its season." Still, the delay does "not suggest any hiccups." All sources "believe that deals will be made." It "just looks like it will take longer than top executives once believed" (SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/3 issue).
