The NFL championship game and cultural milestone
Disney is exploring a free, ad-supported streaming tier to widen reach and boost ad revenue, while noting no near-term launch. The company cites a price-sensitive audience and higher ad inventory as catalysts for growth.
Carolina has earned a 33-30 victory in the Hall of Fame game as Haynes King leads a late drive for the win. King, who is week-to-week with a hamstring injury, has impressed with two touchdowns and 219 yards of offense. He is expected to be Carolina’s No. 3 QB behind Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett, with the team weighing additional backup options.
The Chicago Bears have moved their stadium development focus to Hammond, Indiana. Due diligence is underway on the Lost Marsh and Wolf Lake sites, with Illinois talks ongoing but limited. The team says it will remain the Chicago Bears regardless of location, as a timeline for a decision remains uncertain amid state funding and legislative hurdles.
The NFL has eliminated the Pro Bowl game or any accompanying events. 88 players will be named Pro Bowlers and honored at an in-person Los Angeles celebration in February, with no alternates. Voting remains the same and the Pro Bowl will focus on honoring the season’s best players rather than a game.
NFL owners approve the Seattle Seahawks sale to a Vinod Khosla-led group for $9.612 billion, a record franchise deal. The estate of Paul Allan arranged terms in July following the late owner’s wishes. The move cements Khosla’s long-term plans: keep winning, pursue another Super Bowl, and learn from management as the new stewardship begins.
The Los Angeles Rams have added two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald returns from retirement, forming a fearsome pass-rush duo alongside Matthew Stafford as they pursue a second Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium.
Colin Kaepernick has marked the 10-year anniversary of kneeling during the national anthem with new interviews and guarded reflections on his impact, legacy, and the political firestorm that followed. He remains out of the NFL, while ongoing debates frame his protest within a broader culture war.
The Republican National Committee is convening a Dallas midterm convention as Trump headlines, while NFL games are scheduled across NBC, Netflix and other networks, potentially splitting audience attention. Networks plan extensive coverage, underscoring a clash between politics and sports.
Antonio Brown has reached a plea deal on aggravated assault in Miami. He will receive probation with adjudication withheld, avoiding a prison sentence if approved. The deal stems from an incident after a celebrity boxing match in May 2025, where he allegedly grabbed a handgun from security and fired at a rival. The hearing has been postponed to Oct. 28.
Lane Johnson has announced his retirement after 14 NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, saying his personal and family priorities have changed and that it is critical for him to focus on his mental health. The move follows previous openness about anxiety and depression and comes after a season marked by personal absences.
Disney+ will stream the Super Bowl LXI broadcast via ESPN/ABC in the US and in more than 55 international markets. The US will see Disney+ carry the same ESPN/ABC feed, with ESPN Deportes available in the US for Spanish-language coverage. Two Monday Night Football games will also be streamed this season.
Jay-Z has been announced as the halftime show headliner for the Feb. 14 Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood. Roc Nation continues its collaboration with the NFL to curate entertainment for the event, following years of speculation and previous performances by major artists.