NFL RedZone to Feature Commercials Starting 2025 Season

Starting with the 2025 NFL season, NFL RedZone will introduce commercials, ending its long-standing commercial-free format since its inception in 2009. Host Scott Hanson confirmed the change on The Pat McAfee Show, explaining that while he has no control over business decisions, the broadcast will not sacrifice any live football moments, ensuring fans won’t miss touchdowns or key plays. The iconic opening phrase has been updated from "seven hours of commercial-free football starts now" to "seven hours of RedZone football starts now" to reflect the new format. This change follows ESPN's acquisition of NFL Network and RedZone, where the NFL received a 10% equity stake, prompting the introduction of ads during the broadcast. While it remains unclear exactly how commercials will be integrated—whether during live action, natural breaks, or split-screen—Hanson reassures viewers that the core football experience will remain intact. The shift comes after a 2024 test of split-screen ads during Week 15, which resulted in an apology from Hanson for misleading viewers about the commercial-free promise.