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Netflix is in talks to add Drew Brees and Scott Hanson to its broadcast lineup for the NFL doubleheader it is streaming on Christmas Day. But you may not see them Stateside.
Brees and Hanson are “in conversations” to contribute to Netflix’s international coverage of the Chiefs vs. Steelers and Ravens vs. Texans games, sources tell Front Office Sports. Netflix will livestream the two NFL games to 282 million paid subscribers in more than 190 countries.
Brees, the former Super Bowl MVP, flopped during his first attempt at calling NFL and Notre Dame games for NBC in 2021. But the former Saints quarterback is not giving up on a possible TV future.
The future Pro Football Hall of Famer recently made an impressive guest appearance on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown. I thought he was relaxed, funny, and informative. Brees is only 45 years old. Landing a prominent gig with Netflix would further burnish his comeback credentials.
During an interview this year with FOS Today, Brees confirmed he’d like another crack at the NFL broadcast booth.
“I think I could be the absolute best at it, if given the opportunity. I valued my time at NBC so much, for that year after I played, I spent most of that time in-studio on Sunday Night Football, having to work with some incredible people. … But I didn’t really get the chance to broadcast NFL games,” said Brees. “And that’s what I feel like I’m most qualified to do. That’s what I feel like I’m most passionate about. And certainly where my knowledge base lies, right? Telling the story of the game, getting you inside the huddle, getting you inside the quarterback’s head, letting you know how we’re attacking this defense. … That to me is something I’d love to do down the road when the time is right.”
Hanson, meanwhile, has been on a roll all year. The popular RedZone host drew rave reviews for his entertaining, energetic turn as lead host of NBC’s Gold Zone show covering the 2024 Paris Olympics. This is Hanson’s 16th straight season of hosting RedZone. But his contract with NFL Network expires after this year, says a source, and he could become a hotly pursued free agent in 2025.
The Full Lineup
In September, Ryan Glasspiegel of the New York Post reported Netflix wanted to bring on Fox Sports’ No. 1 NFL announcing team of Tom Brady and Kevin Burkhardt. That idea was rejected by Fox, said the Post.
In October, Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reported the father-son duo of Ian and Noah Eagle will call the games. Ian Eagle, Nate Burleson, and J.J. Watt will call the early game between the Chiefs and Steelers. Noah Eagle and Greg Olsen will call the late game between the Ravens and Texans. This week, the Post reported Netflix was eying ESPN’s Mina Kimes for a role in its Christmas Day coverage.
Netflix is paying the NFL more than $150 million for rights to the Christmas Day doubleheader. “You can’t spell Netflix without ‘NFL,’” declared the giant streamer on X/Twitter.
But after its botched performance streaming the Mike Tyson–Jake Paul boxing match worldwide, critics will be ready to pounce if Netflix can’t produce two clean telecasts.
Netflix and the NFL both declined to comment for this story.
