World Cup rights and NFL rights could be on the market at the same time

Fox Sports is reporting record viewership for its 2026 World Cup pregame coverage, signaling renewed U.S. interest in soccer. The network’s strong performance—highlighted by *The Hollywood Reporter* and *The New York Times*—could pressure its parent company to sell the rights, potentially coinciding with the NFL’s upcoming rights renewal. Coverage from *NBC Sports* and *CNN* notes this as a rare opportunity for broadcasters to bid on both major sports properties at once, though no formal announcements have been made.

The simultaneous auction would mark a first in recent memory, with *The New York Times* framing Fox’s World Cup success as a potential catalyst for a rights sale. Meanwhile, *Deseret News* underscores the growing but still niche U.S. soccer audience, contrasting it with football’s entrenched dominance. Watch for official statements from Fox Corporation or Disney (which owns ESPN, a potential competitor) regarding rights negotiations.

No timeline for decisions has been confirmed, but industry observers expect moves within the next 12–18 months.