The Powers That Be: Daily Rooney Rule Revisited & R.I.P. R.S.N.s
Feb 6, 2026
John Ourand, longtime sports business reporter and newsletter/podcast host, brings on-the-ground Super Bowl week reporting. He breaks down the NFL’s media rights scramble and league reaction to Rooney Rule scrutiny. He also unpacks the collapse of regional sports networks and what that means for small-market teams and local broadcasts.
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Super Bowl Week Builds To Celebrity Peak
- John Ourand describes Super Bowl week's crescendo from quiet executive dinners to celebrity-filled parties by Thursday and Friday.
- He cites a Ringer piece ranking celebrities by when they appear on Radio Row as a humorous marker of status.
NFL Media Rights Will Dominate The Market
- NFL media rights are primed to surge in value as early renegotiations approach 2029 and networks prepare to reopen deals.
- That influx could siphon massive spending from other leagues' rights and reshape the sports-broadcast market.
Leagues Won't Alienate Major Bidders
- Networks worry ESPN's expanded NFL relationship could shift competitive dynamics but remain cautious about alleging favoritism.
- The NFL benefits from keeping many bidders at the table, so it likely avoids alienating Fox and NBC to maximize future bids.