BREAKING: The NFL has announced an 11-year media rights deal with VERSANT in which USA Network will broadcast New Orleans Saints regular season games along with portions of the Playoffs and the Super Bowl beginning in the 2026 season …

BREAKING: The NFL has announced an 11-year media rights deal with VERSANT in which USA Network will broadcast New Orleans Saints regular season games along with portions of the Playoffs and the Super Bowl beginning in the 2026 season …

 

BREAKING: NFL Strikes Groundbreaking 11-Year Media Rights Deal With VERSANT, USA Network to Broadcast Saints Games and Super Bowl Starting 2026

The National Football League (NFL) has announced a historic new media rights partnership with VERSANT, marking one of the biggest broadcasting shakeups in recent league history. Beginning with the 2026 season, USA Network will broadcast regular season New Orleans Saints games, selected playoff matchups, and even share coverage of the Super Bowl as part of an unprecedented 11-year deal.

The agreement, unveiled Friday, is valued in the billions and represents a significant shift in the NFL’s broadcasting strategy. Traditionally, flagship NFL broadcasts have been dominated by CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN. Now, USA Network, under the VERSANT umbrella, will become a new player in the league’s effort to expand viewership and diversify its media presence.

“This partnership with VERSANT and USA Network represents an exciting new chapter for the NFL,” said Commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement. “We are committed to making our games accessible to more fans, in more ways than ever before. The Saints, as one of our most iconic franchises, will be at the heart of this expansion.”

For the New Orleans Saints, the deal carries massive implications. USA Network is set to feature multiple Saints regular-season matchups per year, positioning the team as one of the primary draws in this new broadcast arrangement. League insiders say the Saints’ strong national following, combined with their dramatic storylines in recent years, made them the ideal franchise to anchor this media rollout.

Beyond the regular season, USA Network will also be granted the rights to air portions of the NFL Playoffs and, in a groundbreaking move, select Super Bowl broadcasts. This marks the first time USA Network has ever been given rights to football’s biggest stage, signaling the NFL’s willingness to experiment with broader distribution and younger, streaming-driven audiences.

Industry analysts believe the deal could reshape sports broadcasting. “This is huge,” said sports media expert John Ourand. “It shows the NFL is not just sticking to the old guard. By bringing in USA Network under VERSANT, they’re tapping into different demographics and exploring cross-platform engagement in ways we haven’t seen before.”

Fans in New Orleans reacted with excitement, with many expressing enthusiasm about the Saints getting increased national exposure. “The Saints on USA? That’s wild,” one fan posted online. “But if it means more people get to see our games, I’m all for it.”

The deal also reflects a growing trend of major sports leagues experimenting with nontraditional broadcasters. In recent years, platforms like Amazon Prime and YouTube have made inroads into live sports streaming. With this agreement, the NFL continues to expand its footprint beyond traditional network television.

VERSANT executives promised that broadcasts would come with “fresh production styles and fan-first innovations,” suggesting that Saints and NFL fans can expect new technology, alternative commentary options, and enhanced digital experiences alongside the traditional game coverage.

The first Saints game to air on USA Network under the new deal will kick off in September 2026, and anticipation is already building. For now, one thing is clear: the NFL has just reshaped the media landscape once again — and the New Orleans Saints will be at the center of it.