NFL Stars Withheld

FOX and ESPN have drawn a firm line against Netflix’s Christmas Day NFL ambitions, refusing to release their biggest on-air stars and effectively killing hopes of a festive, cross-network broadcast experiment.

The move keeps stars like Terry Bradshaw, Michael Strahan, Tom Brady, Kevin Burkhardt, Joe Buck, and Troy Aikman off Netflix’s Christmas doubleheader—Cowboys vs. Commanders at 1 p.m. ET and Lions vs. Vikings at 4:30 p.m. ET—stripping the broadcast of many of the NFL’s most familiar voices.

Even after drawing record Christmas Day audiences last season during the second year of its $150 million deal, Netflix couldn’t sway FOX, whose grip on its talent was highlighted days ago when Bradshaw struggled through a FOX NFL Sunday segment and needed assistance on air.

Shut out from FOX and ESPN talent, Netflix has reshaped its Christmas Day NFL broadcast around commentators from CBS and NFL Network. Unlike last year’s holiday games—which featured a rare mix of voices from multiple networks, including Greg Olsen and Laura Rutledge with FOX’s studio crew—the 2025 production will lack that cross-network collaboration, marking a clear shift in strategy for the streaming platform.

Speculation within the industry suggests ESPN’s refusal is strategic, as both ESPN and FOX are wary of strengthening Netflix’s position ahead of the NFL’s next media-rights negotiations, expected after current contracts expire in 2029. Limiting exposure now may reduce Netflix’s appeal as a future destination for top broadcast talent. As one industry assessment put it, “a crossover was improbable.”

CBS has taken a different approach, approving releases for several of its contributors. Iain Eagle will handle play-by-play for the Cowboys–Commanders matchup, joined by Nate Burleson and Matt Ryan. Noah Eagle will call the Lions–Vikings game, while Drew Brees stands as the lone FOX-affiliated exception after receiving clearance following his midseason arrival, which came after Mark Sanchez was let go.

Kay Adams will host the early studio show with Devin McCourty, Michael Irvin, and Austin Ekeler, while Jamie Erdahl leads the late window alongside Manti Te’o and Brandon Marshall.

FOX’s exclusivity rules ruled out appearances by Terry Bradshaw and Michael Strahan, leaving Netflix’s Christmas NFL coverage without two of its most iconic voices.