If you want to watch the NFL these days, it isn’t hard. Whether you want to be traditional and watch the television, be millennial and watch the computer, or multi-task and watch on a mobile device, football is always available.
Now, the NFL is bringing you another avenue to watch some highlights by partnering with social-media giant Facebook, per Mike Shields of the Wall Street Journal. The two companies have made a pact in which Facebook will have rights to NFL highlight videos, which are followed by Verizon advertisements. The Verizon revenue will be split by Facebook and the NFL, giving both companies another stream of cash flow.
Highlights of games won’t be the only thing provided by the NFL. Facebook users will also gets some free fantasy football advice and news on the league. With Facebook trying to become more of a brand name in internet video and the NFL always looking to expand its digital presence, this deal was a no-brainer for both sides. This is not the first time the NFL has reached an agreement with a social media site, having done so with Twitter last year.
Per Shields, this is something Facebook will roll out slowly.
“This is a small video sponsorship test, and we will be evaluating how people, publishers, and marketers respond to this kind of co-branded video content on Facebook,” a Facebook spokeswoman said.
How the video will be presented to viewers remains a bit of a mystery. It is likely to be tried in a few different ways before the right design is ultimately picked out.
Considering Facebook has 1.3 billion users, the NFL can rest assured its content will reach some fresh audiences.
