Overview

• YouTube asked the ESPN analyst to appear on its Sept. 6 Chargers–Chiefs stream from São Paulo, but the network declined, according to Front Office Sports.
• ESPN instituted the restriction earlier this year for YouTube and Netflix NFL games as broadcasters seek to protect exclusivity, with Kelce reported by The Athletic to be on a three-year, $24 million ESPN deal.
• One source told Front Office Sports the policy predated YouTube’s inquiry and was not aimed at Kelce; ESPN declined comment and YouTube did not respond.
• YouTube’s telecast will be produced by NBC and will stream free globally as the platform’s first exclusive NFL regular-season game.
• The on-air plan features Rich Eisen, Kurt Warner, Stacey Dales, and Deestroying, with studio coverage led by Kay Adams alongside Cam Newton, Derek Carr, Tyrann Mathieu, and Brandon Marshall, plus an iShowSpeed co-stream.