Wall Street Journal report suggests talks have taken place.
The NFL are considering adding more games to its Thursday night schedule according to a report released by the Wall Street Journal.
Reportedly citing a source from within the league’s strategy department, the WSJ reported on Tuesday that the NFL is considering selling a second group of Thursday games to a media outlet to pair with its existing 13-game slate on NFL Network, according to ESPN.
While the specific terms of any such deal have not been discussed as of yet, nor have there been any formal offers, it is understood that the NFL is disappointed with the ratings for its current Thursday night games on NFL Network and are looking to make changes.
As a result, one of the ideas put forward is that a double header of games on Thursday could be more appealing to fans, while there is also the possibility that handing another outlet the rights to show one of the games would help increase figures.
According to the report, the NFL aren’t limiting themselves to national cable sports networks, with the likes of Netflix Inc and Google Inc being touted as potential partners in the scheme should it be given the go-ahead.
Meanwhile, the league will be hoping for another successful trip to London next weekend, as the Jacksonville Jaguars take on the San Francisco 49ers at Wembley.
The game will likely re-ignite talk of a London-based franchise, but for now the league is concerning itself with more immediate issues, with changes to the schedule perhaps in the offing.
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