iHeartMedia and the National Football League Extend Their Multi-Year NFL Podcast Network Partnership

Rhea-AI Summary

iHeartMedia and the National Football League (NFL) have extended their exclusive partnership for the NFL Podcast Network, which was initially launched in 2021. The expanded collaboration will introduce new original podcasts and NFL Club shows annually, with iHeart identifying additional existing podcasts to join the network.

The first new show for 2025, 'Lots To Say with Bobby Bones and Matt Cassel', features iHeart's Bobby Bones and former Pro Bowl NFL quarterback Matt Cassel discussing football, music, and current events. The Nashville-based show will include celebrity guests like Tim McGraw, Parker McCollum, and NFL legends.

The NFL Podcast Network currently hosts several popular shows including 'NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal', 'Off the Edge with Cam Jordan', and 'The Season with Peter Schrager'. All shows are distributed by iHeartPodcasts and available on the iHeartRadio app and other podcast platforms.

Positive

• Extended partnership with NFL strengthens iHeartMedia's position in sports content
• Expansion of content library with new original podcasts and NFL Club shows
• Access to high-profile guests and NFL personalities enhancing content value

Negative

• None.

Insights

Media Business Analyst

The extension of iHeartMedia's partnership with the NFL represents a strategic move in the competitive podcast market. The deal enhances IHRT's content portfolio with high-value sports programming, leveraging the NFL's massive fanbase of over 184 million viewers. For context, sports podcasts generate approximately $40 to $75 per thousand listeners in advertising revenue, significantly higher than other genres.

This partnership's value derives from exclusive rights to NFL content and the potential for cross-platform monetization. iHeart's ability to distribute content across its radio network of over 860 stations creates substantial synergies. However, IHRT's current market position, with a relatively small market cap of $313 million and significant debt load, means this partnership, while positive, may not dramatically alter its financial trajectory in the short term.

Sports Media Analyst

The NFL's podcast strategy showcases a sophisticated approach to digital content monetization. By partnering with iHeart, the NFL gains access to advanced podcast analytics and distribution infrastructure while maintaining editorial control over its content. The addition of personalities like Bobby Bones brings cross-demographic appeal, potentially attracting non-traditional NFL audiences.

The timing is particularly strategic as podcast advertising spending is projected to reach $2.3 billion in 2025, with sports content commanding premium rates. This partnership positions both entities to capture a larger share of this growing market, though the impact on IHRT's stock price may be gradual rather than immediate due to broader market challenges in the media sector.

The partnership will continue to generate new shows for the NFL Podcast Network including “Lots to Say,” co-hosted by iHeart’s Bobby Bones and former NFL quarterback Matt Cassel, a new original podcast series giving sports talk shows a new spin

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally, and the National Football League (NFL) today announced an extension to the exclusive partnership that first launched the NFL Podcast Network in 2021. As part of the deal, new original podcasts and NFL Club shows will debut each year, and existing favorites will continue to be available on the NFL Podcast Network. Additionally, iHeart will identify other existing podcasts to join the NFL Podcast Network during the deal, growing the partnership’s reach and scale.

“The NFL Podcast Network continues to grow and capture new audiences, and we’re thrilled to strengthen the successful partnership between iHeart and the NFL with new shows and the addition of more team podcasts,” said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. “Our new extended deal is guaranteed to bring fans closer to the game, players and teams they love and keep listeners up to date on the insider information they want to hear.”

“We are incredibly excited to continue our partnership with iHeartMedia,” said Brent Lawton, NFL Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Investments. “Since its launch in 2021, the NFL Podcast Network has delivered NFL fans best-in-class storytelling and podcast content, and we look forward to developing new podcasts and more content with iHeart.”

The first new show for 2025,“Lots To Say with Bobby Bones and Matt Cassel,” will pair iHeart’s award-winning, nationally-syndicated personality Bobby Bones with former Pro Bowl NFL quarterback Matt Cassel as they talk football, music, current events and their personal lives. Based in Nashville, the hosts will be joined in the studio by celebrity friends as they discuss the hottest topics in football and beyond. Upcoming guests will include music sensations Tim McGraw and Parker McCollum; NFL greats Jared Allen and Boomer Esiason; and more.

Combined, these hosts have more than 17,500 passing yards and a Mirrorball trophy from winning ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars.” From the gridiron to the dance floor, they've both proven they can take a hit, stay on their feet and keep fans cheering. With their unique perspectives and stories from their respective careers, they've got lots to say – and they're saying it all. “Lots to Say with Bobby Bones and Matt Cassel” debuts today with new episodes available each Wednesday. Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and current NFL Network analyst Kurt Warner joins the debut episode.

The NFL Podcast Network is home to hit podcasts “NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal,” “Off the Edge with Cam Jordan,” “The Season with Peter Schrager,” “NFL Fantasy Football Podcast,” “Good Morning Football,” “Move the Sticks with Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks,” “10 Takes with Kyle Brandt,” “The Insiders,” “NFL Players: Second Acts” and more as well as dozens of NFL Club shows.

For a full list of current podcasts, please visit the NFL Podcast Network. All shows on the network are distributed by iHeartPodcasts and available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

About NFL Media
NFL Media is comprised of NFL Network, NFL RedZone, NFL Films, NFL.com, the NFL app, NFL+ and streaming service, the NFL Channel.

Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, fans turn to NFL Network to receive information and insight straight from the field, team headquarters, league offices and everywhere the NFL is making news. Launched in 2003, NFL Network gives fans unprecedented year-round inside access to all NFL events, including the Super Bowl, Playoffs, regular season, preseason, Pro Bowl, Pro Football Hall of Fame induction weekend, NFL Draft, NFL Scouting Combine, Senior Bowl, league meetings, minicamps and training camps.

For fans on the go, all NFL Network programming can be streamed live through the NFL app on smartphones, tablets, PCs and connected TV devices, as well as with NFL+, the league’s direct-to-consumer offering. For more information, go to NFL.com/network.

About iHeartMedia, Inc.
iHeartMedia, Inc. [Nasdaq: IHRT] is the leading audio media company in America, with 90% of Americans listening to iHeart broadcast radio in every month. iHeart’s broadcast radio assets alone have a larger audience in the U.S. than any other media outlet; twice the size of the next largest broadcast radio company; and over four times the ad-enabled audience of the largest digital only audio service. iHeart is the largest podcast publisher according to Podtrac, with more downloads than the next two podcast publishers combined, has the most recognizable live events across all genres of music, has the number one social footprint among audio players, with seven times more followers than the next audio media brand, and is the only fully integrated audio ad tech solution across broadcast, streaming and podcasts. The company continues to leverage its strong audience connection and unparalleled consumer reach to build new platforms, products and services. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250108104989/en/

Media Contact:

iHeartMedia

Jenn Powers

JennPowers@iheartmedia.com

National Football League

Andrew Howard

Andrew.Howard@NFL.com

Source: iHeartMedia, Inc.

FAQ

What new shows are coming to the NFL Podcast Network in 2025?

'Lots To Say with Bobby Bones and Matt Cassel' will debut in 2025, featuring discussions about football, music, and current events with celebrity guests.

What shows are currently available on the NFL Podcast Network?

Current shows include NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal, Off the Edge with Cam Jordan, The Season with Peter Schrager, NFL Fantasy Football Podcast, Good Morning Football, and several others.

When did iHeartMedia first launch the NFL Podcast Network?

The NFL Podcast Network was first launched in 2021 through an exclusive partnership between iHeartMedia and the NFL.

Where can listeners access NFL Podcast Network content?

All shows are available on the iHeartRadio app and wherever podcasts are heard, distributed by iHeartPodcasts.