Netflix is closing in on a deal with the SEC to give it the immersive documentary treatment that the streaming service has further popularized with its Formula 1 “Drive to Survive” and the PGA Tour’s “Full Swing,” executives briefed on the discussions told The Athletic on Thursday.
While the contracts are not yet signed, all indications are that an agreement is close and Netflix will take viewers behind the scenes during this upcoming football season.
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Netflix declined to comment. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said he would not confirm it.
“We make announcements when we make announcements,” Sankey said. “Despite what sources like to say, nothing’s done until it’s done.”
The SEC’s time the last few months, along with most everyone in college athletics, has been focused on the settlement in the NCAA vs. House case, and the ensuing ramifications. But word about Netflix’s interest in the project has been percolating around the SEC for a while.
Teams will be able to opt in or out, and so far it’s not known which ones are definitely in or out. Georgia, expected to be preseason No. 1 or No. 2, is among those with some interest but hasn’t made a decision yet, a source briefed on the discussions said.
The access could be similar to what teams provide “SEC Insider,” the show done by the SEC Network. The schools are expected to have some control over access and what is aired about their teams, but nothing has been finalized.
Starting this year, ESPN will be the exclusive home of SEC football games. Executives with the network were all for the Netflix series as they viewed it as further marketing.
“Drive to Survive” has been credited with the increase in popularity of F1, though, while it certainly helped, it was in combination with the presentation that ESPN created with the racing series. “Drive to Survive” expertly presented the many characters of F1, and the SEC should have many to highlight as it goes behind the scenes.
David Ubben contributed to this report.
(Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
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