The NFL has decided to make Saturday night's Wild Card game between the Chiefs and Dolphins available exclusively on Peacock. And longtime New York sports talk show host Mike Francesa is having none of that.
Francesa criticized the league on his Bet Rivers show for forcing fans to pay instead of watching games for free.
“The NFL, which has the biggest, best, most loyal fan base anywhere, has basically decided to thumb its nose at the fan base and greedily grab another nugget of gold if they want,” Francesa said. said. Said on his BetRivers show.
Peacock's contract with the NFL is reportedly worth $110 million to the league.
Francesa continued, “How many people in America don't even know what streaming is?”
Radio host Mike Francesa attends the 2018 DraftKings Kickoff Bash at Pilsner House & Beer Garden in Hoboken on September 9, 2018. (Sean Zaney/Getty Images for DraftKings)
Only those in the Kansas City and Miami television markets will be able to watch the games for free. Those who want to watch the remaining 20 million to 30 million (probably) games will have to purchase a $5.99 monthly subscription to Peacock.
“People wait all year for these playoff games. They love playoff games, so are you going to charge extra for a playoff game? They're not giving you enough, and you… Don't you make enough money?'' Francesa asked.
That sentiment is shared by many NFL fans across the country and Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu.
Kansas City Chiefs' No. 90 Charles Omenihu during the first quarter during a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on August 26, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. Adjust the team's defensive formation. (David Urit/Getty Images)
“Playing just Peacock is insane, I won't lie,” he wrote to X.
Coach Omenihu made the comments before KHSB-TV's Kathleen Chor confirmed that the game would be televised locally.
Francesa specifically targeted NFL executives who gave fans a “slap in the face.”
“They eagerly come and be there every Sunday, and now we're going to charge them money for a playoff game? This is the ultimate slap in the face to America's most loyal and most important fan base.
“Nobody's got anywhere near the ratings of the NFL. It's never enough. Every time they find another pile of money to grab, they grab it with both hands, and it never stops. .”
