BSkyB signs new NFL television rights deal

Start of the NFL season marred by a series of domestic abuse scandals

Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery of the Chicago Bears is tackled by free safety Antonio Allen of the New York Jets (Getty Images)

BSkyB has signed a new, five-year deal for live American football in the latest salvo in the TV rights war with arch-rival BT.

Britain’s biggest pay-TV firm will air over 80 live National Football League matches per season, including the important Monday night games for the first time and the Super Bowl.

Sky has had a relationship with the NFL since 1995 but this deal includes more games and expands on its previous contract, which lasted only three years.

The British broadcaster will also show all matches from the NFL’s international series when teams visit the UK for games such as this Sunday’s clash between the Oakland Raiders — whose cheerleaders have been visiting London — and the Miami Dolphins at Wembley.

Sky maintains American football is not just a niche sport in the UK as 2.8 million Britons are said to describe themselves as NFL fans and more than 660,000 have attended Wembley games since 2007.

This is the 22nd live rights deal that Sky Sports has struck this year as it battles with BT Sport ahead of the vital English Premier League football auction, which is due to begin later this year and is again expected to raise more than £3 billion.