Super Bowl LXI is set to make history when ESPN broadcasts the big game for the first time in 2027, but not everyone is celebrating. Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin sees the move as a dangerous sign that the NFL is preparing to hand the Super Bowl over to a streaming service — and possibly for good.
In a recent interview with On3, Irvin didn't mince words about what he believes is coming next. “Once the NFL gave ESPN the Super Bowl… You know what’s next? The NFL now is going to stream that Super Bowl,” he said. “They’re going to open that up for bids. And I guarantee you where the bids go, when the streaming service, it’s going to be… I don’t know if it’ll ever be on regular TV again, to be honest with you.”
A Global Shift in the Making
Irvin's concern centers on the financial power of streaming giants like Netflix, which he argues can reach a worldwide audience in ways that traditional broadcasters like ABC or CBS simply cannot. “Netflix can capitalize fully because it goes across the world, and it can take in all of that,” he explained. “That’s the difference between what you’re seeing now and what you will be seeing. Who do you want to be with? The horse that’s coming to the end of their race, or the horse that’s really at the beginning of their race, and Netflix at the beginning.”
The NFL has already dipped its toes into streaming with regular-season games on Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, and Netflix, including a Christmas Day doubleheader in 2024. But the Super Bowl remains the crown jewel of American sports television, drawing over 100 million viewers each year. Moving it exclusively to a streaming platform would mark a seismic shift in how fans consume the game.
The Fan Backlash
For many fans, the growing fragmentation of live sports across multiple streaming services has become a costly headache. The NFL, MLB, NBA, MLS, and NHL have all signed lucrative deals with platforms like Apple TV+, Amazon, and Peacock, forcing viewers to juggle several subscriptions to follow their favorite teams. Critics argue that this trend makes watching sports more expensive and confusing than the old cable bundle ever was.
But supporters of the shift point to the billions in media rights revenue, the ability to reach younger audiences, and the improved viewing experience with higher resolution and interactive features. They also note that streaming allows leagues to expand their global footprint, bringing games to fans who never had access before.
The Debate Heats Up
The debate over streaming's role in sports is far from settled. While some fans are frustrated by the complexity, leagues argue that digital distribution is essential for long-term growth. The NFL's decision to give ESPN the Super Bowl may be a trial balloon, testing whether a cable network can handle the biggest event of the year before potentially moving it to a streaming platform.
Irvin's warning echoes the sentiments of many who fear that the Super Bowl could become a premium event, locked behind a paywall. For now, the game remains on traditional TV, but the writing may be on the wall. As the NFL continues to chase the highest bidder, fans might want to get comfortable with the idea of watching the Super Bowl on their tablets.
For more on the evolving sports media landscape, check out our coverage of the crackdown on illegal streaming networks and the controversial claim that UFC Freedom 250 outdrew the Super Bowl.
