Neal Pilson
Former Mississippi quarterback Eli Manning addresses the crowd as his No. 10 jersey number is retired as part of the halftime jersey retirement ceremony at an NCAA college football game against LSU in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Monday Night Mannings has been a big success for ESPN

By Joe Reedy Nov. 12, 2021 05:18 AM EST

A worker cleans seats in Arrowhead Stadium before an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Even with empty stadiums, NFL still a ratings monster

By Joe Reedy Jan. 07, 2021 07:01 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks for a receiver during an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 in Tampa, Fla. The Saints defeated the Buccaneers 38-3. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
NFL television ratings see 6% decline at midseason point

By Joe Reedy Nov. 12, 2020 01:46 PM EST

Las Vegas Raiders players warms up during an NFL football training camp practice at Allegiant Stadium, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
NFL, TV partners navigating pandemic and future rights deals

By Joe Reedy Sep. 02, 2020 08:24 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 6, 2020, file photo, an empty MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. , is viewed. Timing favored the NFL over other major pro sports leagues in trying to figure out how to keep the coronavirus pandemic from wrecking the 2020 season. America's most popular sport has another big advantage if the games are played: TV money. While NFL owners could lose billions collectively with limited capacities in stadiums or no fans at all, the league is well-positioned financially because of lucrative media contracts approaching $10 billion in a full 2020 season. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
TV money gives NFL leg up if fans can't fill teams' coffers

By Schuyler Dixon Jun. 13, 2020 10:28 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 28, 1976 file photo, CBS sportscaster Phyllis George is seen in New York. Phyllis George, the former Miss America who became a female sportscasting pioneer on CBS's “The NFL Today” and served as the first lady of Kentucky, has died. She was 70. A family spokeswoman said George died Thursday, May 14, 2020, at a Lexington hospital after a long fight with a blood disorder.(AP Photo/Suzanne Vlamis, File)
Phyllis George, female sportscasting pioneer, dies at 70

By Bruce Schreiner And John Raby May. 16, 2020 08:20 PM EDT

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrates after making a touchdown throw against the Washington Redskins during the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. Prescott connected with wide receiver Michael Gallup for the touchdown. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
NFL TV ratings up for second straight year

By Joe Reedy Jan. 03, 2020 04:47 PM EST

FILE - In this February 1966 file photo, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle, center, discusses a new television contract for championship games with Bill MacPhail, left, vice president of CBS-TV, and John Reynolds, president of CBS-TV network, in Palm Beach, Fla. Pete Rozelle would not be surprised to see the NFL’s impact of television as it celebrates its 100th season this year. It was Rozelle, the commissioner from 1960 to 1989, who was able to convince owners that it was in their best interest to sign a leaguewide rights deal instead of teams negotiating on their own. (AP Photo/File)
A look at the seminal broadcasting moves that define the NFL

By Joe Reedy Aug. 23, 2019 05:15 PM EDT

Atlanta Legends coach Kevin Coyle, left, chats with Orlando Apollos coach Steve Spurrier on the field before an AAF football game Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
New league pleased with first-week ratings but cautious

By Joe Reedy Feb. 13, 2019 07:12 PM EST

Pedestrians walk in front of Mercedes-Benz Stadium ahead of Sunday's NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots in Atlanta, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Come together: Super Bowl Sunday, the last stand of live TV

By Eddie Pells Feb. 03, 2019 02:36 PM EST

FILE - This Oct. 11, 2018, file photo shows Troy Aikman, right, and Joe Buck working before an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles in East Rutherford, N.J. "I remember opening weekend when I got home I had a couple college buddies that were raving about the pregame show and how great and fun it was with everyone," said Aikman, who was Cowboys quarterback in 1994 before joining the network seven years later. "It was refreshing, new and unique, and that set the tone for the network."(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
NFL regular-season TV ratings show 5 percent increase

By Joe Reedy Jan. 04, 2019 02:09 PM EST