Netflix will shell out around $150 million to stream two National Football League (NFL) games on Christmas Day — but there is apparently no amount of money that the company could spend to clinch one of the greatest football players of all time for its broadcasts.
On Tuesday, the New York Post said Fox Sports rejected a request that would have seen the broadcaster loan its newly-minuted sports commentator Tom Brady to the streaming service for at least one of the two Christmas Day games.
According to the Post, Netflix wanted to pair Brady with Fox’s other commentator, Kevin Burkhardt. The two currently call the “Game of the Week” aired on most Fox stations each Sunday afternoon.
It isn’t clear how much Netflix offered for the duo, or when the offer was made, but the Post said Fox is not interested. Brady was the subject of a comedy roast streamed live by Netflix earlier this year.
With Brady off the table, Netflix is now considering other possible talent, targeting sports commentators Ian Eagle, Noah Eagle, Greg Olsen and Nate Burleson, the Post said, citing unnamed sources. Ian Eagle and Burleson currently work for CBS Sports, while Noah Eagle works for NBC Sports. Olson is a color commentator for Fox Sports. No deal has been finalized.
CBS is producing the two games for Netflix.
