Chiefs player calls out NFL for Peacock-exclusive playoff game
Dec 27, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Kansas City Chiefs helmet before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Fans weren’t the only ones incredulous over the NFL’s deal to broadcast a playoff game exclusively on Peacock. At least one Kansas City Chiefs player couldn’t believe it either.
NBCUniversal paid a ridiculously large sum of money before the season for the right to exclusively stream one NFL Wild Card game on Peacock. The lump sum deposit into the NFL’s coffers netted Peacock a primetime AFC matchup on Saturday between the Chiefs and Dolphins.
Chiefs D-lineman Charles Omenihu called it “insane” that his team’s postseason game was streaming exclusively on Peacock.
“Us playing on peacock ONLY is insane I won’t lie,” said Omenihu.
Us playing on peacock ONLY is insane I won’t lie.
— Charles Omenihu (@charless_94) January 8, 2024
Omenihu echoed most fans’ complaints on social media. Several voices expressed their frustrations on X about the Chiefs-Dolphins game.
Every time nbc tells me to download Peacock pic.twitter.com/BCGsYAUj5b
— Cory Lestochi (@Cory_Lestochi) January 8, 2024
I am so sick of the streaming games on 30 different apps. Now Peacock has an exclusive playoff game?!? pic.twitter.com/C6J4LH50vV
— Craig C. Glorioso (@glor0428) January 8, 2024
A Peacock exclusive NFL Playoff game feels illegal and wrong. pic.twitter.com/wa2LzgVWzM
— FF BirdGang (@FFBirdGang) January 8, 2024
https://twitter.com/JamesInCLT/status/1744184568465199340
It’s never a great sign for the NFL when you have both players and fans complaining in unison. But given that NBCUniversal’s agreement with the league is just for one game, the issue may very well be short-lived pending another deal.