iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac and the National Football League (NFL) announced an exclusive podcast partnership to launch the NFL's podcast network which will include the distribution of NFL Media's existing podcasts, (Around the NFL, Move the Sticks, NFL Fantasy Football, Huddle and Flow, NFL Total Access: The Locker Room, Good Morning Football and NFL Legends) as well as the co-production and distribution of two dozen new original podcasts.
"Podcasts are an increasingly important way to reach fans and a compelling way to tell NFL stories," said Kevin LaForce, Senior Vice President, Media Strategy and Business Development. "We look forward to partnering with iHeartMedia to bring the NFL Podcast Network to life and deliver our podcast content seamlessly to fans on their platform and anywhere podcasts are consumed."
As part of the exclusive deal, the new podcast slate will develop new shows with NFL Films utilizing some of the best content from their archives, while also creating new podcasts focusing on NFL history, inside access, and more. These NFL podcasts will be distributed through the iHeartPodcast Network.
"Our partnership with the NFL is an incredible moment for iHeart – and the podcast industry, period," said Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group. "The NFL represents sports as its highest level – with the greatest athletes and the most heart-pounding games the world has seen. These are legendary stories, and we can't wait to roll out a slate of incredible new podcasts to capture it all – for iHeart's huge audience and the NFL's massive fanbase alike."
"We're excited to partner with the NFL to extend their reach through podcasting to millions of listeners around the world," said John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises at iHeartMedia. "With these upcoming podcasts, fans will be able to experience the NFL in a new way through rich, deep-dive audio content on their favorite teams and exclusive commentary from their favorite players."
The first new original podcasts stemming from this partnership will be in-progress by this upcoming summer, ahead of the 2021 NFL season, and will be available on the iHeartRadio App and everywhere podcasts are heard.
