Lenny Boyle
Sky Swoop In With Last Minute NFL Deal
05/09/2012
It was touch and go there for a while but Sky swooped in at the last minute with a new three year deal to broadcast NFL games in the UK. Fans were getting a little edgy as no progress was being made. Were we going to miss out entirely on American Football?
Thankfully not.
Sky have had a relationship with the NFL for the past 20 years and with this new three year deal they have made a serious commitment to the sport in the UK.
Channel 4 have retained their Sunday Night Football package with British Gridiron stalwart Mike Carlson in the analysis chair once again. Carlson seems to have a new presenting partner every year. But this year he teams up with old pal Nat Coombs with whom he hosts the American Carnage podcast.
The old familiar Sky team will return with Kevin Cadle behind the desk. Cecil Martin and Neil Reynolds will join him semi-regularly throughout the season.
The new deal comes at a time when the NFL, under commissioner Roger Goodell, have made a strong commitment to expanding the game in the UK. With eyes on a possible international franchise in years to come.
With talk of a possible two regular season games a year in the UK the future looks rosy for British American Football fans.
The season kicks off with the Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants on Wednesday night at midnight.
Sky’s coverage includes:
• REGULAR SEASON: Two live prime time fixtures every Sunday kicking off at 6pm and 9.15pm, three Thanksgiving Day clashes, plus regular matches on Thursday nights.
• PLAYOFFS AND SUPER BOWL: Live coverage of every wild card, divisional and
Conference Championship playoff match, plus live coverage of the annual season ending Super Bowl.
• SUPPORT PROGRAMMING: The NFL's RedZone score update show every Sunday of the regular season available via the red button, NFL Total Access twice a week and watch out for news of exciting new regular season midweek coverage.
Confirmed Sky games to date:
Week 1
Thursday 6th September
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants – 01:30 – Sky Sports 1
Sunday 9th September
Indianapolis Colts @ Chicago Bears – 18:00 - Sky Sports 2
San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers – 21:25 - Sky Sports 2
Week 2
Friday 14th September
Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers - 01:20 - Sky Sports 1
Sunday 16th September
New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers - 18:00 - Sky Sports 3
Washington Redskins @ St Louis Rams – 21:05 – Sky Sports 3
Remember you can watch this event live on your computer or mobile with Sky Sports Streaming on Sky Go. Need a UK IP address? Click Here
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