NFL RedZone Host Scott Hanson has confirmed that the production will feature advertisements during the 2025 regular season, bringing an end to nearly two decades of commercial-free football.
Hanson validated the change while making an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, noting that the classic introduction will shift from “Seven hours of commercial-free football starts now” to “Seven hours of RedZone football starts now.”
Despite the change, Hanson asserted that the production is “not gonna sacrifice any great football for any of the business things.”
“The business folks are going to handle the business, and we play the hand that’s dealt us. But we will not miss a touchdown. We will not say, ‘Oh, O.K., this is first-and-goal from the five [yard line], but let’s, you know, sell some pizza or pickup trucks,’” he explained.
Fans can expect four 15-second commercials during a seven-hour broadcast, often displayed in a double-box format that will allow games to continue on screen alongside the advertisements with accompanying audio.
“Some added clarity: NFL RedZone is seven hours — 420 minutes. Over that time, viewers will be served 1-2 total minutes of ads in :15 increments. This comes out to anywhere between 0.25% – 0.5% of the total time, considerably less than other sports/entertainment programs,” posted Schefter on social media.
Despite the small number of advertisements, many fans have spoken out against the decision to implement this change.
Fans have noted that the league charges either $14.99 per month or $99.99 for the entire football season, with many fans purchasing this package under the expectation of receiving commercial-free football.
As a result, many fans on social media are calling for subscribers to cancel their memberships and boycott the service.
How feasible is a national boycott of Redzone for week 1 https://t.co/Iujcn393eY
— Akash (@YZR_Fantasy) September 3, 2025
Honestly boycott RedZone till the commercials are removed. This is ridiculous.
Commercial free football was how Redzone was built. https://t.co/Cna3NsEBHr
— 🌵 Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) September 3, 2025
This is a picture of my boys and I during our Sunday tradition of watching Every touchdown from every game at the end of the RedZone broadcast together. I know @ScottHanson had no say in this asinine decision by @espn but unfortunately we will #boycottredzone this season. pic.twitter.com/7Op4uxliIk
— Travis Lyle Czech (@TravLyleCzech) September 3, 2025
Currently, the NFL has not provided any indication about whether the subscription price will be decreased or if fans who purchased the season-long subscription will be eligible for refunds due to the inclusion of advertisements.
However, the league has responded to the backlash, saying that it will be an “incredibly small ad load,” and this move has been considered for a long time.
“This move has been contemplated and tested for over a year now, and is completely unrelated to the recent news regarding ESPN and the NFL,” wrote the league in a statement to Front Office Sports.