The NFL signs a new Verizon deal that’s great for consumers

NFL rights are the biggest in sports media—and the closest thing we have to weather vane for where our jumbled world of media and tech are headed.

On Monday, news broke that Verizon had agreed to a new five-year deal to stream NFL games to mobile devices (smartphones and tablets). The telecom giant is paying around $2 billion for the rights.

Here’s the big thing: Verizon has no exclusivity. They’ll host the games for anyone and everyone no matter what network they’re on. And this kicks in for the upcoming NFL playoffs.

This is good for NFL fans. Getting online access to football games had become a relatively byzantine adventure. With Verizon hosting the games but not having exclusivity—if you’re an AT&T or T-Mobile wireless customer you previously couldn’t access the games—you’ll be able to watch no matter what service you subscribe to. Read more…

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