Television programs
NFL draft ratings nearly even compared to 2 years ago

May. 04, 2021 01:58 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — NFL draft ratings were flat compared to 2019, but it was still enough to make it the third- most-watched draft on record. ...

FILE - New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (95) sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien (4) during the second half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., in this Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, file photo. Jets standout defensive lineman Quinnen Williams broke a bone in a foot and is expected to have surgery and be sidelined 8-10 weeks, according to a person with knowledge of the injury. Williams was hurt last week during on-field workouts at the team's facility in Florham Park, New Jersey, the person told The Associated Press on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, on condition of anonymity because the Jets didn't announce the injury. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
AP source: Foot sidelines Jets' Quinnen Williams 8-10 weeks

By Dennis Waszak Jr. May. 04, 2021 12:02 PM EDT

Joseph Toliver, 4, plays on one of the 32 NFL team helmets on display, Tuesday, April 13, 2021, in downtown Cleveland. Forced to cancel last year's NFL Draft in Las Vegas, the league is using lessons learned while plowing through an unprecedented, socially-distanced 2020 season and holding the Super Bow in Tampa, to have a draft that will look much more like normal — well, the new normal — with fans wearing their favorite team's colors and required masks.(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Amazon to take over "Thursday Night Football" package in '22

By Joe Reedy May. 03, 2021 02:14 PM EDT

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addresses the crowd as the first round of the NFL football draft finishes early Friday, April 30, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
First night of NFL draft outdraws Oscars by over 2 million

Apr. 30, 2021 07:29 PM EDT

Workers continue preparing the NFL Draft Theatre for the 2021 NFL Draft, Tuesday, April 27, 2021, in Cleveland. After going all virtual in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the three-day draft, which has grown into one of America's biggest, non-game sporting events, returns with thousands of fans who will be separated by their loyalties, and whether they've been vaccinated. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Networks realize draft drama without frills sometimes best

By Joe Reedy Apr. 28, 2021 07:34 PM EDT

NFL, iHeartMedia teaming up to launch podcast network

By Joe Reedy Apr. 19, 2021 11:00 AM EDT
The NFL is making a more aggressive push into podcasting. The league announced Monday it will partner with iHeartMedia in launching a...

9 deceased new members of Hall of Fame to be honored in May

Apr. 15, 2021 11:59 AM EDT
CANTON, Ohio (AP) — The nine new members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who are deceased will be honored in a television special next month. ...

NFL reprises Draft-a-Thon to raise money for pandemic relief

Apr. 15, 2021 09:01 AM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL is bringing back the Draft-a-Thon that raised money last year for charities dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. ...

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020 file photo, Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) looks on during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia. The Browns are taking another run at Jadeveon Clowney. The free agent defensive end visited Cleveland on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 reviving a courtship that began last year before the No. 1 overall pick in 2014 signed with the Tennessee Titans. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the sides couldn't meet last year.(AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)
AP source: Browns still putting rush on Jadeveon Clowney

By Tom Withers Apr. 12, 2021 10:28 AM EDT

In this Oct. 8, 2019 photo, a customer makes a sports bet at the DraftKings sports book at Resorts Casino in Atlantic City, N.J. On Tuesday, March 30, 2021, DraftKings acquired the video production and distribution company Vegas Sports Information Network to add content to DraftKings' operations in 14 states. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
DraftKings buys VSiN sports betting video broadcast company

By Wayne Parry Mar. 30, 2021 10:15 AM EDT

In this 2001 photo provided by Fox Sports, Troy Aikman, Dick Stockton and Daryl Johnston, from left, pose for a photo, location not known. Stockton has done his final game on network television after a 55-year career that included stints with Fox, CBS and NBC. He has cut back on work in recent years, doing only NFL games for Fox and said during a telephone interview Friday, March 26, 2020, that he had been contemplating retirement for the past year. (Jason Wilheim/Fox Sports via AP)
Dick Stockton wraps up memorable 55-year announcing career

By Joe Reedy Mar. 26, 2021 07:39 PM EDT

FILE - Announcer Jim Nantz is seen after NFL Super Bowl 53, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Atlanta. Jim Nantz's familiar introduction of “Hello friends” will continue to be heard on CBS for many years to come. Nantz and CBS Sports reached agreement on a new deal Thursday, March 25, 2021. The deal was first reported by the “Sports Business Journal”(AP Photo/Gregory Payan, file)
'Hello, friends': Nantz agrees to remain with CBS Sports

By Joe Reedy Mar. 25, 2021 08:04 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 file photo, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) moves out of the pocket under pressure from Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry (75) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J. The New York Jets added experience and depth on both sides of the ball with their latest moves in free agency. The team announced Wednesday, March 24, 2021 it signed former Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry, who'll provide an already formidable D-line a veteran pass-rushing presence. The Jets also agreed to terms on a one-year contract with running back Tevin Coleman. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)
Jets sign DE Curry, agree on deal with RB Coleman

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Mar. 24, 2021 05:50 PM EDT

FILE - San Francisco 49ers cornerback K'Waun Williams plays during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, in this Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, file photo. The San Francisco 49ers have brought back another key piece for their roster, agreeing to a one-year deal to retain slot cornerback K'Waun Williams. A person familiar with the deal said the sides agreed to the deal on Wednesday, March 24, 2021, after Williams considered offers from several other teams. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hadn't been announced. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)
AP source: Slot CB K'Waun Williams returns to 49ers

By Josh Dubow Mar. 24, 2021 12:43 PM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 file photo, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of an NFL football game in Las Vegas. Marcus Mariota has agreed to take a pay cut to remain as backup quarterback for a second season for the Las Vegas Raiders, Tuesday, March 23, 2021. (AP Photo/David Becker, File)
Mariota returning to Raiders after taking pay cut

By Josh Dubow Mar. 23, 2021 09:20 PM EDT

FILE - San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) pulls in a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team in Glendale, Ariz., in this Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, file photo. The Patriots have agreed to terms on a new three-year, $22.5 million contract with free agent receiver Kendrick Bourne. His agent, Henry Organ of Disruptive Sports, says the new deal is for three years and could be worth as much as $22.5 million. New contracts can't officially be signed until the new league year begins on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Energy already high among new additions to Patriots' roster

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 22, 2021 05:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, file photo, An 'NFL on prime video' banner hangs on the field prior to an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz. The NFL will nearly double its media revenue to more than $10 billion a season with new rights agreements announced Thursday, March 18, 2021 including a deal with Amazon Prime Video that gives the streaming service exclusive rights to “Thursday Night Football” beginning in 2022.(AP Photo/Jennifer Stewart, File)
For television, NFL deal is likely a matter of survival

By David Bauder Mar. 22, 2021 04:12 PM EDT

Raiders give 3-year contract to C Andre James

By Josh Dubow Mar. 22, 2021 04:00 PM EDT
The Las Vegas Raiders showed their confidence in center Andre James by giving him a three-year contract less than a week after trading away starter Rodney...

FILE - In this Friday, Aug. 21, 2020 file photo, New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (98) stretches during NFL football training camp in Metairie, La. The New York Jets reached an agreement with former New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins on a two-year deal, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal. The contract is worth up to $17 million, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on Sunday, March 21, 2021 on condition of anonymity because the team hadn't announced the deal.(David Grunfeld/The Advocate via AP, Pool, File)
AP source: Jets agree to terms with former Saints DT Rankins

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Mar. 21, 2021 03:50 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 29, 2020, file photo, New York Jets free safety Marcus Maye (20) tackles Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (11) during the first half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J. A person with direct knowledge of the move says the Jets placed the franchise tag on Maye, a steady playmaker and leader with whom the team hopes to work out a long-term deal. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)
Jets safety Marcus Maye signs franchise tag tender

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Mar. 20, 2021 02:27 PM EDT