Netflix shuts down over Christmas game theft

The NFL’s pivot to two Christmas games this year, after saying it wouldn’t, will reportedly bring a new broadcast partner to the table.

John Ourand of Puck writes this: “(I)t looks like Netflix will end up carrying both NFL games scheduled for December 25, according to numerous sources. Ourand adds that “this whole thing could collapse” and that “nothing has been signed yet” and that “both sides still have to clear some hurdles before an agreement is announced.”

Ourand also points to negotiations with Netflix as the reason for the delay in publishing the schedule. It was, we are told, supposed to take place on May 9th. This is now happening on May 15th.

Whether the Netflix deal will be announced or whether the games will carry a “TBD” determination is (you guessed it) TBD.

Previous reports indicated the NFL wanted at least $50 million — and ideally up to $100 million — for each of the Christmas games. For Netflix, capturing the captive Christmas audience would be a major coup.

Boomer Esiason, fresh from the CBS bubble, first launched the Netflix angle on Wednesday.