NFL fans took to social media and made it clear they do not think it’s right that an AFC wild-card game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins has been paywalled on the Peacock network, a first in playoff history.
Both the league and the network have been slammed after making Saturday’s game only available to Peacock subscribers, forcing fans to sign up to watch, Sports Illustrated reported.
NFL reporter Ari Meirov pointed out that the league and network are making a lot of money by making the game exclusive to Peacock subscribers.
Fans rightfully crush NFL and NBC for putting AFC playoff game exclusively on Peacock https://t.co/yDzrVBQUc7
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 8, 2024
“Peacock is paying in the range of $110M to exclusively carry a playoff game,” Meirov wrote in a post on X. “The game they are getting is a Chiefs / Patrick Mahomes game. FWIW: My comment section is not happy.”
Many of the comments pointed out that, while it’s not unheard of for fans to pay to see their teams play during the regular season due to regional broadcast rights, fans have never had to pay extra money to see an NFL playoff game.
“An absolute joke that a full NFL playoff game is exclusively on [Peacock],” one person wrote. “Steaming services are ruining sports broadcasts.”
Another added, “Probably just me but I think the NFL having a playoff game exclusively on Peacock is disgraceful. It’s never about the fans and always about the money. I hope it gets the lowest rating of any playoff game.”
New York sports radio host Mike Francesa called the NFL “greedy” for the move, TMZ noted.
“The NFL, which has the biggest, the best, and the most loyal fanbase anywhere, decides to basically thumb its nose at its fanbase and just make another greedy reach for another bundle of money, like they need it.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP
Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu slammed the move as “insane” and offered a way for fans to see the game for free.
“Alright Chiefs Kingdom, I saw the comments and want y’all to be able to watch us play…So, I’m giving away 90 3-month Peacock memberships!” he wrote on social media.
“To enter to win, reply to this tweet with why you should get picked,” he added. “Picking winners Friday!”
Fans who live in the Kansas City or Miami television markets can view the game on their local NBC affiliate. But fans outside those areas must pay $5.99 for a monthly subscription to Peacock to watch, TMZ noted.