ENHANCED SCHEDULE INCLUDES ADDITIONAL INTERCONFERENCE MATCHUP,
THREE PRESEASON GAMESALL 32 TEAMS TO PLAY INTERNATIONALLY AT LEAST ONCE IN EIGHT-YEAR PERIOD BEGINNING IN 2022NFL clubs today approved at a virtual league meeting an enhanced season structure that beginning in 2021 will feature each team playing 17 regular-season games and three preseason games for the first time. The NFL-NFLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in March of 2020 enables the league, with the approval of the union and its players, to enhance the regular season with a move to 17 games, providing fans an extra week of regular-season NFL action. That decision was confirmed today, marking the first change to the season structure since the 1978 campaign ushered in an era of 16 regular-season and four preseason games. It follows the March 18 announcement of long-term media distribution agreements providing fans greater access to NFL games than ever before. “This is a monumental moment in NFL history,” said NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. “The CBA with the players and the recently completed media agreements provide the foundation for us to enhance the quality of the NFL experience for our fans. And one of the benefits of each team playing 17 regular-season games is the ability for us to continue to grow our game around the world.” The 17th game will feature teams from opposing conferences that finished in the same place within their division the previous season. The AFC was determined to be the home conference for the 17th game in 2021: Away Team | Home Team | NFC East | AFC East | 1. Washington Football Team | 1. Buffalo Bills | 2. New York Giants | 2. Miami Dolphins | 3. Dallas Cowboys | 3. New England Patriots | 4. Philadelphia Eagles | 4. New York Jets |
Away Team | Home Team | NFC West | AFC North | 1. Seattle Seahawks | 1. Pittsburgh Steelers | 2. Los Angeles Rams | 2. Baltimore Ravens | 3. Arizona Cardinals | 3. Cleveland Browns | 4. San Francisco 49ers | 4. Cincinnati Bengals |
Away Team | Home Team | NFC South | AFC South | 1. New Orleans Saints | 1. Tennessee Titans | 2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2. Indianapolis Colts | 3. Carolina Panthers | 3. Houston Texans | 4. Atlanta Falcons | 4. Jacksonville Jaguars |
Away Team | Home Team | NFC North | AFC West | 1. Green Bay Packers | 1. Kansas City Chiefs | 2. Chicago Bears | 2. Las Vegas Raiders | 3. Minnesota Vikings | 3. Los Angeles Chargers | 4. Detroit Lions | 4. Denver Broncos |
Under the scheduling formula below, every team plays 17 regular-season games with one bye week. Clubs will host 10 games overall – either nine regular-season games and one preseason game or eight regular-season games and two preseason games. - Home and away against its three division opponents (six games).
- The four teams from another division within its conference on a rotating three-year cycle (four games).
- The four teams from a division in the other conference on a rotating four-year cycle (four games).
- Two intraconference games based on the prior year’s standings (two games). These games match a first-place team against the first-place teams in the two same-conference divisions the team is not scheduled to play that season. The second-place, third-place and fourth-place teams in a conference are matched in the same way each year.
- One interconference game based on the prior year’s standings on a rotating four-year cycle (one game). These games match a first-place team from one division against a first-place team in an opposite conference division that the team is not scheduled to play that season. The second-place, third-place and fourth-place teams in each division are matched in the same way each year. The home conference for this game will rotate each season.
The official 2021 schedule, with playing dates and times, will be announced later this spring on NFL Network and NFL.com. Information on season-ticket availability and premium seating options can be found on club websites. Single-game tickets for many clubs will also be available upon the release of the schedule. NFL Kickoff Weekend will begin Thursday night, September 9, and the regular season will end Sunday, January 9, 2022. The 2022 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, February 6 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and the season will conclude with Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 13, 2022. The enhanced season will ensure that beginning in 2022, all 32 clubs will play internationally at least once every eight years. The scheduling of up to four neutral-site games per year in a country outside the United States will focus initially on Canada, Europe, Mexico, South America and the United Kingdom. In addition, interested clubs can continue to volunteer to play home games internationally, as is currently the case. A look at the 2021 home and away opponents for all 32 NFL clubs: AFC | Intraconference | AFC SOUTH | EAST | Interconference | NFC SOUTH | | | | AFC | Intraconference | AFC WEST | NORTH | Interconference | NFC NORTH | | | | AFC | Intraconference | AFC EAST | SOUTH | Interconference | NFC WEST | | | | AFC | Intraconference | AFC NORTH | WEST | Interconference | NFC EAST | | | | NFC | Intraconference | NFC SOUTH | EAST | Interconference | AFC WEST | | | | NFC | Intraconference | NFC WEST | NORTH | Interconference | AFC NORTH | | | | NFC | Intraconference | NFC EAST | SOUTH | Interconference | AFC EAST | | | | NFC | Intraconference | NFC NORTH | WEST | Interconference | AFC SOUTH |
2021 OPPONENTSAFC EAST
1. Buffalo Bills Home: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Football Team. Away: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans. 2. Miami Dolphins Home: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants. Away: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans. 3. New England Patriots Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans. Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Chargers. 4. New York Jets Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans. Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts. 2021 OPPONENTSAFC NORTH 1. Pittsburgh Steelers Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans. Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings. 2. Baltimore Ravens Home: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings. Away: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins. 3. Cleveland Browns Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders. Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots. 4. Cincinnati Bengals Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers. Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets. 2021 OPPONENTSAFC SOUTH 1. Tennessee Titans Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers. Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks. 2. Indianapolis Colts Home: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Away: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers. 3. Houston Texans Home: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks. Away: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers. 4. Jacksonville Jaguars Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers. Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks. 2021 OPPONENTSAFC WEST 1. Kansas City Chiefs Home: Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers. Away: Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans, Washington Football Team.
2. Las Vegas Raiders Home: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team. Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers. 3. Los Angeles Chargers Home: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers. Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team. 4. Denver Broncos Home: Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team. Away: Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers. 2021 OPPONENTSNFC EAST 1. Washington Football Team Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders. 2. New York Giants Home: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams. Away: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team, Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 3. Dallas Cowboys Home: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders. Away: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 4. Philadelphia Eagles Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Football Team, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Football Team, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets.
2021 OPPONENTSNFC NORTH
1. Green Bay Packers Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Football Team. Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers. 2. Chicago Bears Home: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers. Away: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 3. Minnesota Vikings Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks. Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers. 4. Detroit Lions Home: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers. Away: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks. 2021 OPPONENTSNFC SOUTH 1. New Orleans Saints Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants. Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Washington Football Team. 2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants. Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team. 3. Carolina Panthers Home: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team. Away: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants. 4. Atlanta Falcons Home: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team. Away: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers. 2021 OPPONENTSNFC WEST 1. Seattle Seahawks Home: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans. Away: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Football Team. 2. Los Angeles Rams Home: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans. Away: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants. 3. Arizona Cardinals Home: Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings. Away: Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans. 4. San Francisco 49ers Home: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings. Away: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans.
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| NJCAA, NFL and Reigning Champs Experiences Announce Joint Women’s Flag Football Effort | Charlotte, NC - Following the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Board of Regents meeting in February, the NJCAA has officially announced women's flag football as an emerging sport in a joint effort with the National Football League (NFL) and Reigning Champs Experiences (RCX).
"This is an exciting time for the NJCAA and particularly the advancement of female opportunities in our association," stated Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President & CEO. "As the first national collegiate athletic association in the United States to integrate women's athletics, this is another major milestone in the association's history."
With the partnership, the NFL will provide a $150,000 grant to the NJCAA Foundation for distribution to NJCAA member colleges that declare their intent to participate in the sport over the next two years. The NJCAA Foundation, along with the NFL and RCX, will award $10,000 grants to 15 member colleges to move the initiative a step closer towards becoming a full championship sport over the next few years.
"The expansion of women's flag football as a varsity sport at the two-year college level is yet another historic achievement for women's collegiate sports," said Troy Vincent, Sr., NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations. "We are excited to partner with the NJCAA in providing the opportunity for female student athletes to experience the tremendous values, life benefits, and competition that comes with playing football."
RCX, the official operating partner of NFL FLAG and the NAIA women's flag football initiative, will assist the NJCAA with developing awareness and a framework of the sport within the women's flag industry. Through its efforts and collaboration with the NFL, RCX has contributed to the rapid growth of women's flag football throughout the country.
"For so many young girls in flag football, the idea of playing the game they love in college has seemed like an impossible dream," said Izell Reese Executive Director of NFL FLAG and GM of RCX. "RCX and NFL FLAG have been working hard to make that dream a reality and we're proud to work with the NJCAA to help create a viable path for female athletes to potentially earn a scholarship to complete at the collegiate level and earn a degree."
Following the granting of emerging sports status, the NJCAA will proceed with forming the women's flag football sport committee to begin creation of the sport's guidelines and competition structure. NFL FLAG and RCX will continue to assist the committee and NJCAA with expertise and best practices within the sport, with the intent of starting competition in the spring of 2022.
NJCAA members who begin a women's flag football program will have the opportunity to compete against other members, in addition to various invitational events managed by RCX. A national championship event and full sport status will be granted with the increased number of participating institutions.
| NFL ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR 2021 NFL DRAFT IN CLEVELAND | 2021 Draft Activities to Take Place Around FirstEnergy Stadium, Including Free Fan Event Select Prospects, Fans, Legends, Commissioner Goodell, Media and Networks On-Site in Cleveland Following COVID Protocols CLEVELAND [March 22, 2021] – The NFL announced today that the 86th annual NFL Draft will take place April 29-May 1 across iconic downtown Cleveland locations, including FirstEnergy Stadium, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Great Lakes Science Center. A select number of prospects will take the stage in Cleveland while fans, media, NFL Network, ESPN and ABC crews will also be on-site as the league welcomes the new rookie class. Building on the success of last year's virtual Draft, additional prospects will also participate in Draft festivities remotely from their homes around the country. Club personnel involved in the selection process will be permitted to gather in a Draft Room at a location of their choosing, whether that be their facility or elsewhere while following appropriate protocols. "We are thrilled to be heading to Cleveland for the NFL Draft, which has become one of the most highly anticipated events in sports" said PETER O'REILLY, NFL Executive Vice President, Club Business & League Events. "Just months after executing a safe and successful Super Bowl LV, we look forward to bringing the excitement of our Draft traditions to fans in collaboration with the Browns, Destination Cleveland, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, the City of Cleveland, and all of our local Cleveland partners." Set against the backdrop of Lake Erie, the NFL Draft Main Stage will serve as the central hub for Draft activities, including where pick announcements will be made by Commissioner Goodell and other special guests. In addition to picks being made in Cleveland, the NFL and clubs will partner to make selections from across the country on Day 3. The Draft Theatre will act as the viewing zone for the Main Stage and will seat invited guests, including individuals selected for the exclusive "Inner Circle presented by Subway." Chosen by each of the 32 clubs to serve as their Draft ambassadors, fans selected to the "Inner Circle" will have a front row seat to the NFL Draft Main Stage to cheer on their team's picks. To further the NFL's efforts in promoting the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine when available, and consistent with guidance from the CDC, fans selected to sit in the "Inner Circle" must be fully vaccinated. Tapping into the spirit of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, headlining acts will perform each day on the Main Stage. "We are looking forward to officially being on the clock in Cleveland for what has become one of the most-anticipated sports and entertainment events of the year," said DAVID GILBERT, President and CEO of Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. "While we know this event will look different than in the past, we are thrilled about what the NFL Draft will mean to our community coming out of this pandemic. It will showcase Cleveland's beauty and resilience to a large audience, both safely in-person and worldwide." "We are thrilled for Cleveland to host this year's NFL Draft and celebrate the hard-working and inspiring new Draft prospects, football's great history, and our fans. It is even more special as we commemorate our 75th anniversary and have the opportunity to showcase the wonderful city of Cleveland to an international audience and to a responsible number of fans and visitors during the weekend," said DEE AND JIMMY HASLAM, Managing and Principal Partners of the Cleveland Browns. "We greatly appreciate the continued collaboration by the NFL, local and state government officials and medical experts who are all focused on creating a memorable and safe experience and we are also extremely encouraged by the state of Ohio's vaccination rates and advancements that are allowing us to make the progress needed to return to a safe and more normal environment." Utilizing learnings and protocols from Super Bowl fan experiences in Tampa, the NFL Draft Experience – the NFL's interactive football theme park – will be free and open to the public around FirstEnergy Stadium during all three days of the Draft. To manage capacity, reservations will be required to attend the free Draft Experience through the NFL OnePass app, which will be available for download the week of March 29. "Cleveland welcomes the 2021 NFL Draft to our city," said MAYOR FRANK G. JACKSON. "Residents and visitors from around the world will experience Cleveland's hospitality and see why our city continues to be a destination of choice for large-scale events. We look forward to working with the Cleveland Browns, the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, the NFL and our other partners to execute a safe, successful event in accordance with health and safety guidelines." All three days of the NFL Draft will be broadcast on NFL Network, ESPN and ABC, including two nights of primetime coverage on Thursday and Friday. Further details on NFL Network, ESPN and ABC's coverage of the 2021 NFL Draft will be announced at a later date. This year the league will build upon the 2020 Draft-A-Thon, utilizing the 2021 Draft as a platform to bring awareness to issues impacting communities most affected by the pandemic. More information on Draft and Draft-A-Thon will be announced in the coming weeks. The league will continue to partner with public officials at the state and local levels to help better ensure a safe and successful Draft. Fans attending Draft activities will be required to wear face coverings and adhere to appropriate physical distancing. For more information on Draft activities, visit NFL.com/Draft. One-of-a-Kind NTF Portrait of Tom Brady, by Award-Winning Artist Jesse Dittmar, Begins its Bidding Phase 
Jesse Dittmar, world-renowned, award-winning photographer and pioneer in the NTF space, has unveiled a unique portrait of the NFL’s most distinguished Quarterback, Tom Brady. March 30, 2021, Brooklyn New York - Tom Brady, the quarterback, best known for taking the New England Patriots to multiple Super Bowl championships before more recently moving over to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is the focal point of Jesse Dittmar’s newest, biddable NTF portrait. Recently linked on Mark Cuban's NFT Platform 'Lazy.com,' Dittmar’s portrait, titled Tom Brady : 7, will be available for bidding until April 2nd (9am Pacific / 12pm Eastern) over on OpenSea. Whoever submits the winning bid will also unlock contact information for an accompanying signed physical print by photographer Jesse Dittmar. “The best quarterback of all time was my first choice to enter the NFT space where you’re seeing so much collide in the sports, art, and technology space. This was one of the most important shoots of my career.” - Jesse Dittmar Tom Brady : 7 features the iconic quarterback in a beautiful black and white image, photographed on Ilford 3200 film. The analog negative was scanned and imported digitally, then converted into a looped, pulsating portrait that abruptly resets with a spliced frame representing the best quarterback of all times seven championship wins. Jesse Dittmar, is an award-winning artist working with The New York Times and The Washington Post and brands like Apple and Hulu. The New Yorker, People, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, and New York Magazine have all published his work. He has photographed the most accomplished figures of the 21st century, including Denzel Washington, Tom Brady, Serena Williams, Tom Hanks, Patti Smith, David Letterman, the cast of Star Wars, and hundreds of more. Typically, using black and white film, Jesse's photographs invoke a sense that one is standing in front of the subject along with him. He humanizes our most renowned figures and photographs those who are not famous in an equalizing manner. His portraits are iconic in their simplicity and intimacy. His NFT collection is an organic extension of themes explored throughout his career. ESPN and ABC Announce Commentator Teams for the 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland - Mike Greenberg to Debut as Host of ESPN’s 42nd NFL Draft Telecast
- ABC to Present All Three Days of This Signature NFL Event For the Third Consecutive Year with Prime-Time Broadcasts Featuring the College GameDay Team Beginning April 29th
The Walt Disney Company’s team of veteran hosts, analysts and insiders will present the 2021 NFL Draft live coast-to-coast from Cleveland beginning Thursday, April 29, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on ESPN and ABC. For the third consecutive year, ESPN and ABC will provide distinct prime-time presentations on Day 1 and 2. ESPN will again offer the traditional draft telecast – a combination of X’s and O’s analysis, player highlights and storytelling – while ABC, featuring the eleven-time Sports Emmy Award-winning College GameDay Built by The Home Depot crew, will cover the event with an emphasis on the individual journeys of NFL Draft prospects. On ESPN, Mike Greenberg will debut as host mere months ahead of his 25th company anniversary. Greenberg will lead ESPN’s 42nd NFL Draft on Day 1 and 2 with senior NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., covering his 38th draft, and NFL analysts Louis Riddick, his seventh, and Booger McFarland, his third. ESPN’s event coverage will also feature Senior NFL Insiders Chris Mortensen, covering his 31st draft, and Adam Schefter, his 12th, and NFL host Suzy Kolber, who will cover the event for the 18th year and interview draftees. On ABC, 25-year company veteran Rece Davis, who recently signed an ESPN extension, and Maria Taylor, a leading voice across college sports and on NBA Countdown, will co-host the prime-time broadcasts on Day 1 and 2. Davis will cover the event with college football analysts Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard, returning for their fourth draft, and senior NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay, his 12th. From a nearby set, Taylor, covering her fourth draft, will anchor with college football analyst and third-year draft commentator Jesse Palmer. College football analyst David Pollack, returning for his fourth draft, will also provide insights alongside his College GameDay teammates. On Day 3, Davis will host the 2021 NFL Draft on ESPN and ABC with Kiper, McShay, Riddick, Mortensen and Schefter. The 2021 NFL Draft will also be streamed live through the ESPN App, broadcast on ESPN Radio and presented in Spanish on ESPN Deportes. In addition, the event will be televised on NFL Network presented by Verizon and streamed live through NFL digital properties. On ESPN Radio, Dari Nowkhah will host with NFL Front Office Insider Mike Tannenbaum, ESPN Radio’s Bart Scott (Day 1 and 2), NFL Draft analyst Jim Nagy (Day 3) and reporter Ian Fitzsimmons. On ESPN Deportes, Eduardo Varela and Pablo Viruega will provide event coverage in Spanish. More programming details will be announced at a later date. This year the League will build upon the 2020 Draft-A-Thon, utilizing the 2021 Draft as a platform to bring awareness to issues impacting communities most affected by the pandemic. More information on Draft and Draft-A-Thon will be announced in the coming weeks. Schedule: | Date | Time (ET) | Event | Networks | | Thu, Apr 29 | 8-11:30 p.m. ET | Round 1 | ESPN, ABC, ESPN App, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes, NFL Network | | Fri, Apr 30 | 7-11:30 p.m. ET | Rounds 2 and 3 | ESPN/ESPN2, ABC, ESPN App, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes, NFL Network | | Sat, May 1 | 12-7 p.m. ET | Rounds 4-7 | ESPN (ABC simulcast), ESPN App, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes, NFL Network |
Fanatiz y CentroAméricaTV anuncian una alianza para expandir la oferta del fútbol centroamericano en Norteamérica El servicio premium de transmisión de deportes se consolida como referente en el fútbol de Centroamérica en Estados Unidos y Canadá con la adición de CentroAméricaTV a su oferta de contenidos MIAMI, FL – Fanatiz se consolida como la oferta más completa para ver fútbol de Centroamérica en Estados Unidos, Puerto Rico y Canadá a partir de la adición de Centroamérica TV, el canal principal para centroamericanos en Estados Unidos y proveedor exclusivo de las ligas de fútbol de El Salvador, Honduras y Costa Rica en ese territorio. Este lanzamiento se suma a la adición de Tigo Sports, el canal deportivo número 1 de Guatelama, anunciada por Fanatiz a mediados del año pasado. “En Fanatiz, nos esforzamos por brindar a nuestros suscriptores lo mejor en contenido deportivo. Con la incorporación de CentroAméricaTV a nuestra lista de socios, continuamos mejorando la experiencia de transmisión para los fanáticos del fútbol en los Estados Unidos, Puerto Rico y Canadá”, dijo Matias Rivera, CEO y Fundador de Fanatiz. “Estamos encantados de seguir ampliando nuestra cartera de contenido, y al agregar la red líder para los fanáticos del fútbol centroamericano que viven en los Estados Unidos, Puerto Rico y Canadá, continuamos brindando a nuestros clientes más de lo que desean y ahora somos el servicio con la mayor cantidad de contenido de fútbol centroamericano en esa región”. “El fútbol es un unificador vital y una famosa fuente de conexión para la comunidad hispana/latina. Esta nueva asociación nos brinda la oportunidad única de democratizar aún más el acceso al deporte, brindando a los fanáticos del fútbol centroamericano otra vía más para disfrutar del 'juego hermoso' en sus dispositivos preferidos, donde sea que se encuentren en América del Norte”, dijo Alan J. Sokol. presidente y director ejecutivo de Hemisphere Media Group, Inc., la empresa matriz del canal. “Las plataformas digitales continúan experimentando un gran crecimiento y Fanatiz no es una excepción; como proveedores de contenido, es imperativo estar a la vanguardia de las nuevas tecnologías y plataformas, creciendo y desarrollándose con ellas. Estamos encantados con esta nueva asociación que amplifica aún más nuestra oferta y nos permite llegar a nuevos mercados poblados por las comunidades a las que servimos”. Fanatiz es también el destino donde los expatriados centroamericanos que viven en Puerto Rico y Estados Unidos pueden disfrutar y animar a sus jugadores favoritos de sus países de origen que están triunfando en las ligas europeas como Keylor Navas de Costa Rica jugando en el PSG, Bryan Rochez de Honduras con C.D. Nacional de Portugal y Óscar Duarte y Anthony Lozano en LaLiga de España. La asociación también amplía la presencia de Fanatiz y CentroAméricaTV en Canadá, lo que marca la primera vez que tanto la plataforma como la red estarán disponibles para los centroamericanos con sede en Canadá, una de las comunidades hispanas/latinas más grandes y de más rápido crecimiento en el país. "La popularidad del fútbol está en su punto más alto y estamos encantados de poder finalmente llevar más contenido a nuestros aficionados en Canadá", dijo José Romero, CMO de Fanatiz. “Además de la programación de fútbol de primer nivel disponible en Fanatiz, siempre estamos escuchando los deseos y necesidades de nuestros suscriptores. Como respuesta a una gran cantidad de fanáticos del fútbol hispanos que viven en Canadá que buscan acceso a sus equipos de fútbol centroamericanos favoritos, hemos decidido expandir nuestros esfuerzos y llevar a nuestros fanáticos un paso más cerca de disfrutar a sus equipos favoritos cuándo y cómo quieran”. Fanatiz continúa innovando en el negocio de servicios de transmisión de deportes al mejorar constantemente su plataforma y brindar a sus fanáticos el contenido deportivo que desean. Para conocer las últimas noticias y actualizaciones de la plataforma, siga a Fanatiz en Instagram @Fanatiztv, Facebook @fanatiztv, y Twitter @fanatiztv. Además de su programación deportiva, CentroAméricaTV también presenta el contenido de noticias y entretenimiento más popular de Centroamérica. Para obtener más información, los televidentes pueden visitar www.centroamericatv.tv. # # #  
Fanatiz es la plataforma de streaming de eventos y canales deportivos de mayor valor agregado y ofrece a fans y usuarios la oportunidad de ver partidos y programas en vivo y bajo demanda, incluyendo LaLiga, Copa Libertadores, Brasileirao, Fútbol de Argentina, beIN SPORTS, GOL TV, TyC Sports, RCN Nuestra Tele, Real Madrid TV, RAI, Tigo Sports, Centroamerica TV y más. Es la única plataforma donde los usuarios pueden configurar su experiencia, permitiéndoles elegir su equipo favorito para recibir detalles actualizados y noticias sobre los equipos como horarios de partido, estadísticas de jugadores, highlights y más. Fanatiz está disponible en todas las pantallas desde la PC, ingresando a www.fanatiz.com, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Google Chromecast, Apple TV y en las apps para iOS y Android. Sigue a Fanatiz en Instagram @fanatiztv, Facebook @fanatiztv, y Twitter @fanatiztv CentroAméricaTV es un filial de Hemisphere Media Group, Inc. (HMTV), la única empresa de medios en los Estados Unidos, cotizada en la bolsa de valores, dirigido a los mercados hispanoamericanos y latinoamericanos de alto crecimiento con las principales plataformas de televisión y contenido digital. Con sede en Miami, Florida, Hemisphere posee y opera cinco canales líderes de cable hispano en los Estados Unidos, dos canales de cable latinoamericanos, la principal cadena de televisión abierta en Puerto Rico, y tiene intereses de propiedad en un canal líder nacional de televisión abierta en Colombia, también tiene participaciones en una empresa de distribución de contenido en español y Pantaya, un servicio OTT en español en los EE. UU. | WINNER NAMED FOR THIRD ANNUAL NFL BIG DATA BOWL POWERED BY AWS | NEW YORK (March 19, 2021) - The National Football League (NFL), in collaboration with Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), today announced the winner of the third annual Big Data Bowl powered by AWS. The competition, designed to engage the data and analytics community and rethink player performance, aired on March 18, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. ET on NFL.com, as well as the NFL's Twitch and YouTube channels and was hosted by NFL Network Predictive Analytics Expert Cynthia Frelund. Using Next Gen Stats powered by AWS, the 2020-2021 Big Data Bowl called on both professional and aspiring data analysts to devise innovative and data-driven approaches to analyzing pass coverage in the NFL. The winning group of Wei Peng, Marc Richards, Sam Walczak, Jack Werner takes home an additional $10,000 prize, bringing their competition total to $25,000. The quartet generated play outcome models for each frame of the data, as well as classified man versus zone coverage schemes, to measure the before and after pass ability of each defender. "The Big Data Bowl has changed how NFL clubs and their fans ingest and understand the game," said NFL Director of Football Data and Analytics Mike Lopez. "This year's event covered new ground in football analytics – defending the pass play. More than 250 participants submitted a unique approach, and the eight finalist teams represent the best of the best public football analytics work done to date. Today's event was the culmination of their hard work, as well as a celebration of how data is transforming what happens on the field and in front offices of the NFL." Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh joined the program for a football analytics conversation alongside Frelund and Lopez. Harbaugh shared why the Ravens organization values data and analytics, advice for aspiring football data analysts, and his thoughts on the annual competition. "This [Big Data Bowl] is a great way to broaden the perspective of the sport and to get more people involved in it in a fun way," said Harbaugh during the conversation. "There are so many perspectives and ways to look at anything, especially football because it's a complex, crazy game." Each finalist presented their algorithms to a panel of judges made up Frelund, three former Big Data Bowl participants and a data scientist from AWS: · Katherine Evans, Phd, Director of Strategic Research – Toronto Raptors · Cynthia Frelund, Predictive Analytics Expert – NFL Network · Nate Sterken, Lead Data Scientist -- Cleveland Browns · Adam Vonder Haar, Football Research Analyst – Dallas Cowboys · Colby Wise, Sr. Deep Learning Scientist – AWS AI Last year's winning algorithm, which provided predictions for rushing play outcomes, was adopted by the NFL's analytics team as one of this season's new Next Gen Stats and was used and shared with NFL clubs and media during the 2020 season. In addition to innovation, the competition also helps the league identify and develop future industry leaders. Since the first Big Data Bowl during the 2018 season, it has helped 15 participants secure jobs with either NFL clubs or affiliate vendors. This year, the league added a mentorship program alongside the competition where 16 junior data scientists from diverse backgrounds were matched with experienced NFL analytics experts to curate a Big Data Bowl submission. Two participants in the mentorship program, Ella Summer and Jill Reiner, emerged as college finalists. Below are other brief summaries of submissions finalists in the Open category presented during the Big Data Bowl: Joe Andruzzi
Joe analyzed individual defender success while guarding a receiver making a cut or double move. Dani Chu, Matthew Reyers, Meyappan Subbaiah, Lucas Wu
The group of Meyappan, Dani, Matthew and Lucas isolated various parts of defensive coverage throughout a pass play to evaluate defender contribution. Matthew Gartenhaus, James Venzor
The group of James and Matthew modeled six different defender attributes which take place during different stages of a pass play.
Tony ElHabr, Marschall Furman, Sydney Robinson, Asmae Toumi
The group of Asmae, Marschall, Sydney and Tony created target and completion probability models to build a defender effectiveness metric. Below are brief summaries of submissions finalists in the College category presented during the Big Data Bowl: Zach Bradlow, Zach Drapkin, Ryan Gross, Sarah Hu – University of Pennsylvania
The group of Zach, Zach, Ryan and Sarah created a relative skill rating system based upon success in coverage matchups to measure defender skill.
Ella Summer – University of Virginia
Ella used statistical modeling to isolate individual defender effects on target and completion probability. Jill Reiner – Denison University
Jill used statistical modeling to determine which defenders are best at averting targets, closing on targeted receivers and defending passes, and clustered each based on their strengths and weaknesses.
| NFL COMPLETES LONG-TERM MEDIA DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS PROVIDING FANS GREATER ACCESS TO NFL GAMES THAN EVER BEFORE | NFL expands digital distribution while continuing to be the only sport committed to showing all games on over-the-air television MARCH 18, 2021: The National Football League announced today that it has signed long-term agreements with media partners Amazon, CBS, ESPN/ABC, FOX, and NBC for the distribution of NFL games, the industry's most valuable content, over television and digital platforms, as well as additional media rights. With these agreements, the NFL has expanded its digital footprint to reach a broader audience while maintaining its commitment to keep all NFL games on over-the-air television. The new agreements will begin with the 2023 season and run through the 2033 season. "These new media deals will provide our fans even greater access to the games they love. We're proud to grow our partnerships with the most innovative media companies in the market," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "Along with our recently completed labor agreement with the NFLPA, these distribution agreements bring an unprecedented era of stability to the League and will permit us to continue to grow and improve our game." The NFL's new media agreements grant the following rights to their partners: AMAZON: In the NFL's first ever all-digital package, Amazon Prime Video has acquired the rights to be the exclusive home of Thursday Night Football across hundreds of compatible digital devices. The NFL and Amazon first partnered on Thursday Night Football as part of a Tri-Cast distribution model during the 2017 season. CBS: With its new multi-platform agreement, CBS retains the rights for the American Football Conference (AFC) package of Sunday afternoon games. All games will be broadcast on the CBS Television Network and streamed live on Paramount+, ViacomCBS' flagship streaming service. CBS, America's most-watched network for the past 12-years, is the NFL's longest-running media partner having first begun televising NFL games in 1956. ESPN: ESPN will continue to be the NFL's television partner for cable's most-watched series, Monday Night Football. Additionally, ABC has acquired the rights to televise two Super Bowls along with exclusive regular season games. ESPN+ subscribers can stream one International Series game on an exclusive national basis every season and the new agreement allows ESPN the opportunity to simulcast all ABC and ESPN games on ESPN+. The new agreement for ESPN covers 11 years, including a 10-year deal beginning in 2023 and a bridge year deal in 2022. FOX: FOX has renewed its agreement to produce the National Football Conference (NFC) package of Sunday afternoon games that it acquired in 1994. FOX expanded its digital rights, including for its AVOD streaming platform Tubi to deliver NFL programming on digital platforms. America's Game of the Week has been the most-watched show in all of television for the last 12 seasons and the most-watched NFL window for the last 20 seasons. NBC: Sunday Night Football, the #1 Primetime show on TV for an unprecedented 10th consecutive year, will continue to be produced by NBC Sports. In addition to simulcasting all Sunday Night Football games, Peacock, NBCUniversal's streaming service, will deliver an exclusive feed of a select number of NFL games over the course of the agreement. NBC first acquired its package of primetime games in 2006. NFL NETWORK, the television home of the NFL, will continue to televise a select schedule of exclusive NFL games on a yearly basis. These new media agreements provide fans with more ways to watch NFL games than ever before. Highlighted by broad distribution across linear and digital platforms, these agreements provide fans with the following: - INCREASED DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION: With games on Amazon Prime Video, ESPN+, Paramount+, Peacock, and FOX Digital platforms – in addition to NFL Mobile and digital platforms - NFL games are now available in more places and on more devices than ever before to meet the evolving consumption habits of NFL fans.
- BROADCAST DISTRIBUTION: The NFL continues to be the only sports league that delivers all of its games – regular-season and playoffs – on free, over-the-air television. Through the new agreement with ESPN, the NFL will broaden its broadcast distribution to include ABC, which will carry two Super Bowls along with additional exclusive regular season games each year. (Monday Night Football and Thursday Night Football are required by contract to be carried on over-the-air, broadcast stations in the cities of the participating teams.)
- INCREASED "FLEX"-ABILITY: As part of these agreements, there will be an increased ability to flex games to Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football allowing fans to watch more meaningful games in primetime.
- INTERACTIVITY & ALTERNATE BROADCASTS: The NFL's media partners will now have greater ability to innovate around their productions and provide interactive elements such as stats/data, chat and integrated social feeds as part of their digital presentations. Additionally, there will be alternate presentations of select NFL games in addition to each partner's main production similar to the one's fans viewed during the 2020 postseason with ESPN's MegaCast and CBS Sports' presentation on Nickelodeon.
CBS, FOX and NBC will each televise three Super Bowls while ABC will carry two during the term of the agreements. The following is the Super Bowl broadcast schedule through 2033. - CBS: 2023, 2027, 2031
- FOX: 2024, 2028, 2032
- NBC: 2025, 2029, 2033
- ESPN/ABC: 2026, 2030
The NFL is the most valuable content in all of sports and entertainment. Over the last five years, 24 of the top 25 and 77 of the top 100 most-watched programs on television have been NFL games. # # # # # Partner Quotes AMAZON Mike Hopkins, SVP of Prime Video and Amazon Studios "NFL games are the most watched live programming in the United States, and this unprecedented Thursday Night Football package gives tens of millions of new and existing Prime members exclusive access to must-watch live football on Prime Video. NFL fans from across the country will enjoy a premium viewing experience with Thursday Night Football, as well as access to a broad selection of content including award-winning Amazon Originals available on Prime Video." CBS Bob Bakish, President and CEO, ViacomCBS "We are thrilled to extend and expand our long-term partnership with the NFL to create even more value for ViacomCBS and for NFL fans. Today's groundbreaking deal ensures that more big games will be available on CBS and Paramount+, with greater NFL programming opportunities featured across all ViacomCBS platforms including Pluto TV, vastly expanding the NFL's reach among younger audiences in a rapidly evolving media landscape. NFL football is both a pillar of CBS Sports and huge differentiator for our streaming strategy, and our extensive partnership with the NFL will be fundamental to further driving growth and engagement on Paramount+ for years to come." George Cheeks, President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS Entertainment Group "CBS' NFL programming creates value for every one of our key constituents – our audience, advertisers, owned stations and affiliates, as well as our pay-tv distribution partners. It is must have content that stands above the crowd in a fragmented television universe. The NFL ON CBS has been a vital part of our broadcasting business for decades and it will be a powerful driver of our streaming success in the decade ahead. Our brands share a great history and a very exciting future together." Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports "The NFL has been a cornerstone of CBS Sports programming for more than 60 years. We are extremely pleased to extend our long-standing partnership with the NFL for the next decade. The NFL is the most valuable content in all of media, and we are excited that the deal allows for more Sunday afternoon games than ever before and we retain the NFL's most-watched time slot. This wide-ranging deal includes significantly expanded rights, and we look forward to continued growth and to maximizing the enormous value of the NFL across all of our CBS Sports platforms." ESPN/ABC Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company "This landmark agreement guarantees that ESPN's passionate fan base will continue to have access to the best the NFL has to offer. Bringing all the considerable and unique capabilities of The Walt Disney Company and ESPN to the table opens up so many opportunities across our industry-leading direct-to-consumer, broadcast, cable, linear, social and digital outlets. Special thanks to Roger Goodell and the NFL owners for continuing to embrace new ways to appeal to their fans, especially through increasingly important platforms like ESPN+." Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN and Sports Content "When ESPN and the NFL work best together, the results are transformational for sports fans and the industry. Some of the most remarkable collaborative examples have occurred in the past 12 months and have demonstrated the extraordinary range of The Walt Disney Company that is fundamental to this agreement. There are so many exciting new components, including Super Bowls and added playoff games, new end-of-season games with playoff implications, exclusive streaming games on ESPN+, scheduling flexibility and enhancements, and much more. It's a wide-ranging agreement unlike any we've reached with the NFL, and we couldn't be more energized about what the future holds." FOX Lachlan Murdoch, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Fox Corporation "Today we extend our 27-year partnership with the NFL and solidify the foundation of our marquee sports portfolio beyond the end of the decade. In addition to maintaining our leading Sunday afternoon NFC package, we are pleased to broaden our deal to include new digital rights that provide us with the flexibility to deliver NFL on FOX to customers in expanded and innovative ways. This long-term agreement ensures that we will continue to deliver the best in football coverage to our viewers while also strengthening and providing optionality to our business." NBC Pete Bevacqua, Chairman, NBC Sports Group "We are excited to expand upon our relationship with the NFL, which is the most powerful content in sports and entertainment. Sunday Night Football has been television's most-watched primetime show for a decade, and we look forward to continuing our best-in-class presentation of SNF, Super Bowls, and playoff games for many years to come, while also broadening our audience with Peacock becoming the live streaming home for all NBC NFL games." | Free Agency Signing Period Begins; 541 Players Become Free Agents | The National Football League today announced that 541 players are free agents who now can negotiate with all 32 clubs. Players are either “restricted” or “unrestricted” free agents. Within the categories are also “franchise” and “transition” players. The time period for free agency signings in 2021: - Restricted Free Agents – March 17 to April 23.
- Unrestricted Free Agents (who have received the May 3 tender from prior club) – March 17 to July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later).
- Franchise Players – March 17 to the Tuesday following Week 10 of the regular season.
- Transition Players – March 17 to July 22.
A list of free agents by club in various categories:
Club | Player | Pos. | College | First Refusal/ Compensation | Arizona | Gardeck, Dennis | LB | Sioux Falls | 2nd | | Turner, Ezekiel | LB | Washington | ROFR | | | | | | Atlanta | Gono, Matt | T | Wesley | 2nd | | | | | | Baltimore | Edwards, Gus | RB | Rutgers | 2nd | | | | | | Buffalo | Boettger, Ike | G | Iowa | ROFR | | | | | | Cleveland | Hodge, Khadarel | WR | Prairie View | ROFR | | | | | | Dallas | Wilson, Cedrick | WR | Boise State | 6th | | Woods, Antwaun | DT | Southern California | ROFR | | | | | | Denver | Johnson, A.J. | LB | Tennessee | 2nd | | Lindsay, Phillip | RB | Colorado | ROFR | | Patrick, Tim | WR | Utah | 2nd | | | | | | Green Bay | Sullivan, Chandon | DB | Georgia State | ROFR | | Tonyan, Robert | TE | Indiana State | 2nd | | | | | | Houston | Hall, P.J. | DT | Sam Houston State | 2nd | | Moore, A.J. | DB | Mississippi | ROFR | | | | | | Indianapolis | Alie-Cox, Mo | TE | Virginia Commonwealth | 2nd | | Odum, George | DB | Central Arkansas | ROFR | | Pascal, Zach | WR | Old Dominion | 2nd | | | | | | Kansas City | Pringle, Byron | WR | Kansas State | ROFR | | Ward, Charvarius | DB | Middle Tennessee | 2nd | | Wylie, Andrew | T | Eastern Michigan | ROFR | | | | | | Las Vegas | Carlson, Daniel | K | Auburn | 2nd | | | | | | L.A. Rams | Williams, Darious | DB | Alabama-Birmingham | 1st | | | | | | New England | Jackson, J.C. | DB | Maryland | 2nd | | | | | | Seattle | Ford, Poona | NT | Texas | 2nd | | | | | | Washington | Sims, Cam | WR | Alabama | ROFR | | | | | |
If a player in his category receives an offer from a new club to sign a player contract for the 2021 season or for 2021 and future seasons, which offer the player desires to accept, the offer must be set forth in an offer sheet, signed by both the new club and the player, and must be substantially in the form of Appendix B of the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement. The new club and the player must specifically identify in the offer sheet those provisions they believe are principal terms that must be matched by the prior club. The new club then must immediately: hand deliver the offer sheet, or send it by overnight mail, or by electronic mail in .pdf form (in each case a confirmation copy shall also be sent by first class mail) to the prior club, to the attention of the club’s president or general manager. The new club must send copies of the offer sheet to the National Football League Players Association and to the National Football League using the above described delivery procedures. If the offer sheet is hand delivered, the new club should obtain an acknowledgement of receipt. In addition, the new club shall notify the League office via the transaction system of the terms of an offer sheet immediately upon delivery to a prior club. The prior club has a right of first refusal to all players listed in the category above. Draft choice compensation is as listed in the column on the right. If the prior club has only a right of first refusal and is therefore not entitled to compensation, the designation "ROFR" appears in that column. In order to submit an offer sheet, a new club must have available the required selection choice, defined as its own or better choice in the applicable rounds, in the 2021 NFL Draft. Offer sheets may be submitted to a prior club until 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on Friday, April 23. An offer sheet shall be deemed given only when received by the prior club. A first refusal exercise notice, which must be substantially in the form of Appendix C to the CBA, shall be deemed given when sent by the prior club. Players with three or more accrued seasons who have been designated as Non-Exclusive Franchise Players: Club | Player | Pos. | College | Chicago | Robinson, Allen | WR | Penn State | | | | | Denver | Simmons, Justin | DB | Boston College | | | | | Jacksonville | Robinson, Cam | T | Alabama | | | | | New Orleans | Williams, Marcus | DB | Utah | | | | | New York Giants | Williams, Leonard | DT | Southern California | | | | | New York Jets | Maye, Marcus | DB | Florida | | | | | Tampa Bay | Godwin, Chris | WR | Penn State |
The prior club has a right of first refusal to the players listed above and compensation of two No. 1 draft choices. In order to submit an offer sheet, a new club must have available the required choices, defined as its own or better choices in the first round in the 2021 and 2021 NFL Drafts. Offer sheets must be submitted to a prior club prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the Tuesday following the 10th regular season weekend. Offer sheets to franchise players are subject to the rules governing offer sheets to restricted free agents, as set forth in the category above, except that the prior club will be entitled to two No. 1 draft choices if the club declines to exercise its right of first refusal. Unrestricted free agents with four or more accrued seasons: Club | Player | Pos. | College | Arizona | Arnold, Dan | TE | Wisconsin-Platteville | | Banjo, Chris | DB | Southern Methodist | | Beachum, Kelvin | T | Southern Methodist | | Blackson, Angelo | DT | Auburn | | Campbell, De'Vondre | ILB | Minnesota | | Daniels, Darrell | TE | Washington | | DeValve, Seth | TE | Princeton | | Drake, Kenyan | RB | Alabama | | Fitzgerald, Larry | WR | Pittsburgh | | Foster, D.J. | RB | Arizona State | | Garcia, Max | G | Florida | | Golden, Markus | LB | Missouri | | Hundley, Brett | QB | UCLA | | Irving, Isaiah | LB | San Jose State | | Joseph, Johnathan | DB | South Carolina | | Kirkpatrick, Dre | DB | Alabama | | Lee, Andy | P | Pittsburgh | | Nugent, Mike | K | Ohio State | | Peko, Domata | NT | Michigan State | | Peters, Corey | NT | Kentucky | | Peterson, Kevin | DB | Oklahoma State | | Peterson, Patrick | DB | Louisiana State | | Reddick, Haason | LB | Temple | | Sweezy, J.R. | G | North Carolina State | | Vallejo, Tanner | ILB | Boise State | | Washington, Charles | DB | Fresno State | | | | | Atlanta | Dennard, Darqueze | DB | Michigan State | | Gurley, Todd | RB | Georgia | | Harris, Charles | LB | Missouri | | Hill, Brian | RB | Wyoming | | Kazee, Damontae | DB | San Diego State | | Mack, Alex | C | California | | McCray, Justin | C | Central Florida | | Means, Steven | DE | Buffalo | | Neal, Keanu | DB | Florida | | Neasman, Sharrod | DB | Florida Atlantic | | Reynolds, LaRoy | LB | Virginia | | Robinson, Edmond | LB | Newberry | | Schaub, Matt | QB | Virginia | | Stocker, Luke | TE | Tennessee | | Treadwell, Laquon | WR | Mississippi | | Wetzel, John | T | Boston College | | Wreh-Wilson, Blidi | DB | Connecticut | | | | | Baltimore | Bowser, Tyus | LB | Houston | | Bryant, Dez | WR | Oklahoma State | | Cox, Morgan | LS | Tennessee | | Fluker, D.J. | G | Alabama | | Fort, L.J. # | LB | Northern Iowa | | Judon, Matt | LB | Grand Valley State | | Levine, Anthony | DB | Tennessee State | | Moore, Chris | WR | Cincinnati | | Ngakoue, Yannick | DE | Maryland | | Skura, Matt | C | Duke | | Snead, Willie | WR | Ball State | | Ward, Jihad | DE | Illinois | | White, DeAndrew | WR | Alabama | | Wolfe, Derek | DE | Cincinnati | | | | | Buffalo | Barkley, Matt | QB | Southern California | | Feliciano, Jon | G | Miami | | Jones, Taiwan | RB | Eastern Washington | | Kroft, Tyler # | TE | Rutgers | | Marlowe, Dean | DB | James Madison | | McKenzie, Isaiah | WR | Georgia | | Murphy, Trent | DE | Stanford | | Norman, Josh | DB | Coastal Carolina | | Nsekhe, Ty | T | Texas State | | Roberts, Andre | WR | Citadel | | Winters, Brian | G | Kent State | | Yeldon, T.J. | RB | Alabama | | | | | Carolina | Armah, Alex | FB | West Georgia | | Cooper, Pharoh | WR | South Carolina | | Davis, Mike | RB | South Carolina | | Douglas, Rasul | DB | West Virginia | | Elder, Corn | DB | Miami | | Jansen, J.J. | LS | Notre Dame | | Larsen, Tyler | C | Utah State | | Manhertz, Chris | TE | Canisius | | Miller, John | G | Louisville | | Okung, Russell | T | Oklahoma State | | Reed, Chris | G | Minn. State-Mankato | | Samuel, Curtis | WR | Ohio State | | Schofield, Michael | G | Michigan | | Stanford, Julian | LB | Wagner | | Taylor, Adarius | LB | Florida Atlantic | | Whitehead, Tahir | LB | Temple | | | | | Chicago | Burns, Artie | DB | Miami | | Bush, Deon | DB | Miami | | Edwards, Mario | DT | Florida State | | Gipson, Tashaun | DB | Wyoming | | Harris, Demetrius | TE | Wisconsin-Milwaukee | | Harris, Dwayne | WR | East Carolina | | Houston-Carson, DeAndre | DB | William & Mary | | Ifedi, Germain | G | Texas A&M | | Jenkins, John | NT | Georgia | | Massie, Bobby # | T | Mississippi | | McCullers, Daniel | NT | Tennessee | | McManis, Sherrick | DB | Northwestern | | Mingo, Barkevious | LB | Louisiana State | | O'Donnell, Pat | P | Miami | | Patterson, Cordarrelle | WR | Tennessee | | Robertson-Harris, Roy | DT | Texas-El Paso | | Santos, Cairo | K | Tulane | | Scales, Patrick | LS | Utah State | | Spriggs, Jason | T | Indiana | | Trubisky, Mitchell | QB | North Carolina | | Urban, Brent | DT | Virginia | | | | | Cincinnati | Alexander, Mackensie | DB | Clemson | | Bullock, Randy | K | Texas A&M | | Bynes, Josh | ILB | Auburn | | Carter, Cethan | TE | Nebraska | | Covington, Christian | NT | Rice | | Daniels, Mike | DT | Iowa | | Erickson, Alex | WR | Wisconsin | | Evans, Jordan | LB | Oklahoma | | Green, A.J. | WR | Georgia | | Huber, Kevin | P | Cincinnati | | Hunt, Margus | DT | Southern Methodist | | Jackson, William | DB | Houston | | Lawson, Carl | DE | Auburn | | Perine, Samaje | RB | Oklahoma | | Redmond, Alex | G | UCLA | | Ross, John | WR | Washington | | Sims, LeShaun | DB | Southern Utah | | Spain, Quinton | G | West Virginia | | Thomas, Mike | WR | Southern Mississippi | | Williams, Shawn | DB | Georgia | | Williams, Xavier | DT | Northern Iowa | | | | | Cleveland | Goodson, B.J. | ILB | Clemson | | Hall, Marvin | WR | Washington | | Higgins, Rashard | WR | Colorado State | | Johnson, Kevin | DB | Wake Forest | | Joseph, Karl | DB | West Virginia | | Lamm, Kendall | T | Appalachian State | | Lee, Elijah | LB | Kansas State | | Mitchell, Terrance | DB | Oregon | | Natson, JoJo | WR | Akron | | Ogunjobi, Larry | DT | North Carolina-Charlotte | | Parkey, Cody | K | Auburn | | Sendejo, Andrew | DB | Rice | | Smith, Malcolm | LB | Southern California | | Taylor, Taywan | WR | Western Kentucky | | Taylor, Vincent | DT | Oklahoma State | | Vernon, Olivier | DE | Miami | | | | | Dallas | Ankou, Eli | DT | UCLA | | Awuzie, Chidobe | DB | Colorado | | Bell, Blake | TE | Oklahoma | | Brown, Noah | WR | Ohio State | | Crawford, Tyrone | DE | Boise State | | Dalton, Andy | QB | Texas Christian | | Erving, Cameron | T | Florida State | | Goodwin, C.J. | DB | California, Pa. | | Ladouceur, L.P. | LS | California | | Lee, Sean | LB | Penn State | | Lewis, Jourdan | DB | Michigan | | Looney, Joe | C | Wake Forest | | March-Lillard, Justin | LB | Akron | | Smith, Aldon | DE | Missouri | | Thomas, Joe | ILB | South Carolina State | | Woods, Xavier | DB | Louisiana Tech | | | | | Denver | Attaochu, Jeremiah | LB | Georgia Tech | | Bausby, De'Vante | DB | Pittsburg State | | Chickillo, Anthony | LB | Miami | | Dotson, Demar | T | Southern Mississippi | | Harris, Shelby | DE | Illinois State | | Jackson, Kareem # | DB | Alabama | | Jones, Joseph | ILB | Northwestern | | Parks, Will | DB | Arizona | | Walker, DeMarcus | DE | Florida State | | Wilkinson, Elijah | T | Massachusetts | | Williams, Sylvester | DT | North Carolina | | | | | Detroit | Aboushi, Oday | G | Virginia | | Agnew, Jamal | WR | San Diego | | Amendola, Danny | WR | Texas Tech | | Davis, Jarrad | LB | Florida | | Golladay, Kenny | WR | Northern Illinois | | Griffen, Everson | DE | Southern California | | Harmon, Duron | DB | Rutgers | | Jones, Marvin | WR | California | | Killebrew, Miles | DB | Southern Utah | | McRae, Tony | DB | North Carolina A&T | | Muhlbach, Don | LS | Texas A&M | | Okwara, Romeo | DE | Notre Dame | | Peterson, Adrian | RB | Oklahoma | | Prater, Matt | K | Central Florida | | Ragland, Reggie | LB | Alabama | | Reeves-Maybin, Jalen | LB | Tennessee | | Roberts, Darryl | DB | Marshall | | Sanu, Mohamed | WR | Rutgers | | | | | Green Bay | Adams, Montravius | DE | Auburn | | Austin, Tavon | WR | West Virginia | | Burgess, James # | LB | Louisville | | Ervin, Tyler | RB | San Jose State | | Harrison, Damon | DT | William Penn | | Jones, Aaron | RB | Texas-El Paso | | King, Kevin | DB | Washington | | Lewis, Marcedes | TE | UCLA | | Linsley, Corey | C | Ohio State | | Redmond, Will | DB | Mississippi State | | Taylor, Lane | G | Oklahoma State | | Veldheer, Jared | T | Hillsdale | | Williams, Jamaal | RB | Brigham Young | | Winn, Billy # | DE | |
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