A shock ‘heavy favorite’ of YouTube has emerged to broadcast its first NFL game next season in Week 1’s South American showpiece from Brazil.
The video-sharing website owned by Google is a constant medium used by the NFL’s league office and teams to share visual content but has never been the primary home for a live game.
The unique partnership between the NFL and YouTube would see the Brazil game stream for free worldwide, with subscribers of streaming service YouTube TV also gaining access to the contest, per The Athletic.
‘Google YouTube has emerged as the heavy favorite to stream its first exclusive NFL game on Friday of the opening week,’ the outlet reported.
Awarding the game to YouTube would depart from the NFL’s previous digital agreements, as Peacock, Netflix, and Prime Video have been exclusive online homes for past games.
It what will likely be the second game of the NFL season, the Los Angeles Chargers are the designated home team.
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The Kansas City Chiefs, the Chargers’ division rival, has been eyed to be their opponent in Brazil, fresh off their Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Other possible opponents for the Charges would be the other two teams in the AFC West, the Las Vegas Raiders and the Denver Broncos.
Outside the division, the Washington Commanders would be an interesting interconference option, as the Jayden Daniels-led squad had their best season in over 30 years in 2024, making the NFC Championship Game.
The Philadelphia Eagles, who won last year’s NFL Brazil game, would likely not be sent to Sao Paulo for the second consecutive year.
Multiple league sources told The Athletic earlier this year that the recently-dethroned champions are the No 1 choice to send to the South American nation.
The Chiefs have been prominently featured on the NFL calendar for several consecutive years, first solely as one of the league’s best, and more recently with the involvement of Travis Kelce and possible showings of his girlfriend, Taylor Swift.
YouTube airing the game could work in a similar fashion to other streaming services, where a link is displayed high up on their main website to view the game. No official decision has been announced by the NFL.
