Netflx is reportedly looking to bring in a popular ESPN talent for the pair of NFL Christmas games that the streaming giant will air on the 25th.
During the offseason, it was announced that Netflix would live-stream NFL games for the first time on Dec. 25. The two NFL Christmas games will see the Kansas City Chiefs visit the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens at the Houston Texans.
The league usually only features a Christmas Day contest if it falls on a Monday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday. But Roger Goodell and the head office went for another big-time moneymaker by agreeing to let Netflix air the two holiday games, even though Christmas is on a Wednesday.
According to a report from Ryan Glasspiegel of the New York Post, Netflix is trying to bring in ESPN personality Mina Kimes to work the two NFL Christmas games and join a star-studded broadcast lineup:
“The streaming service juggernaut is targeting ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes for a role in its studio show for the Christmas Day doubleheader, The Post has learned.
While a deal hasn’t been finalized, a source said ESPN would give Kimes the network’s blessing if it’s something that she ultimately wants to do.”
Monday Dec 9 at 8pm
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) December 4, 2024
ESPN+/Disney+
A PERFECTLY CROMULENT NIGHT OF FOOTBALL AWAITS@danorlovsky7 @drewdle25 pic.twitter.com/ZEVjdidTuy
Also Read: REPORT: NFL Makes Final Decision For Christmas Day Games Streaming On Netflix
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
CBS play-by-play voice Ian Eagle will call the Chiefs-Steelers game with former NFL stars JJ Watt and Nate Burleson. Ian’s son, Noah Eagle, will be on the call for the Ravens-Texans affair with Greg Olsen of FOX Sports.
It has been reported that Netflix is paying around $75 million to air both NFL Christmas games. Viewership certainly won’t be a problem, but they sure as heck better avoid the technical issues that affected the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight stream for many viewers.
NFL Christmas Games Carry Significant Playoff Implications
Unlike some prime-time games that can’t be flexed out this late in the season, the Chiefs-Steelers and Ravens-Texans contests just so happen to each carry major postseason implications.
The Chiefs are still trying to hold onto the AFC’s top seed. The Steelers are still in the running to take the No. 2 seed from the Buffalo Bills, though the focus for now is holding off the Ravens for the AFC North.
Houston will likely have the AFC South wrapped up by then, but they’d enjoy a huge confidence boost with a win over another AFC powerhouse like Baltimore.
