For the first time ever, a Buffalo-Jacksonville game will have significant meaning for the NFL.
It has nothing to do with the outcome. Rather, it is all about how the game will be distributed.
The NFL only will show the Oct. 25 game from London (8:30 a.m. kickoff) online. The Wall Street Journal reported the league is seeking a distributor such as YouTube or Facebook. The game will air in the local markets of Buffalo and Jacksonville, but won’t be available on DirecTV’s Sunday Ticket.
It marks the first time the NFL is going digital-only for a telecast. It likely won’t be the last as the league looks to find other ways to maximize broadcast revenue.
“This is a good opportunity to experiment,” NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told SI.com’s Richard Deitsch. “We will evaluate fan reaction and gather feedback and then determine if we would offer additional games like this in the future.”