NFL Partners with Front Office Sports in Landmark Content Licensing Agreement

The National Football League (NFL) has entered into a yearlong content licensing agreement with Front Office Sports (FOS), marking the league's first partnership with a sports business-focused news outlet. Announced on September 2, 2025, this collaboration allows FOS to utilize NFL intellectual property, including logos and event access, across its media platforms.

Under the terms of the agreement, FOS will pay the NFL for rights to access and use the league's intellectual property. This includes behind-the-scenes access to major NFL events such as International Games, the Super Bowl, and the NFL Draft. The partnership aims to enhance FOS's coverage and storytelling capabilities by providing unique insights into the league's operations and events.

Adam White, founder and CEO of FOS, views the agreement as a strategic move to strengthen relationships with advertisers, particularly those aligned with the NFL. "Front Office Sports has built a highly engaged community, and the NFL looks to FOS for unique storytelling opportunities and insights into the business of sports," said Amanda Kersen, director of business development and strategic investment at the NFL.

Founded in 2014 by Adam White during his college years, FOS has evolved from a newsletter-centric platform to a comprehensive multiplatform media company. The company expanded from approximately 10 employees in 2020 to around 65 full-time staff by 2025. This growth was bolstered by an investment from RedBird IMI, a joint venture between RedBird Capital Partners and International Media Investments.

The NFL has been actively pursuing digital content partnerships to broaden its reach and engage diverse audiences. In August 2025, the league entered into a significant agreement with ESPN, transferring ownership of NFL Network and other media assets in exchange for a 10% stake in ESPN. This deal aims to enhance ESPN's upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming service and reflects the NFL's commitment to expanding its digital footprint.

Additionally, the NFL has collaborated with various digital platforms, including The GIST, Bleacher Report, Overtime, and Betches Media, to create NFL-focused content that resonates with different demographics.

The partnership between the NFL and FOS is expected to yield several benefits:

• Enhanced Content Quality: FOS's access to NFL intellectual property and events will enable the outlet to produce more comprehensive and engaging content, offering readers unique insights into the league's operations and events.

• Advertiser Appeal: The partnership is expected to strengthen FOS's relationships with advertisers, particularly those aligned with the NFL, by providing branded content opportunities and access to a highly engaged audience.

• Audience Expansion: For the NFL, collaborating with FOS allows the league to tap into FOS's dedicated readership, potentially attracting new fans interested in the business aspects of sports.

This agreement reflects the NFL's strategy to expand its digital content partnerships and aligns with FOS's evolution into a multiplatform media company. By providing FOS with behind-the-scenes access to major NFL events, the partnership aims to enrich storytelling and engage a broader audience interested in the business aspects of sports.

The content licensing agreement between the NFL and Front Office Sports represents a strategic alignment that benefits both entities. For the NFL, it offers an avenue to engage a business-savvy audience, while FOS gains unparalleled access to enhance its content offerings. This partnership exemplifies the evolving dynamics of sports media and the increasing value placed on diverse, in-depth coverage of the sports industry.