Scott Hanson seemingly confirms NFL RedZone will have commercials this season
NFL RedZone has a new parent company after it was acquired by ESPN last month in exchange for the NFL receiving 10% equity. Now, what a lot people feared would happen with how RedZone is broadcast appears to be happening. Today, Scott Hanson, the longtime host of NFL RedZone, all but confirmed with 7 words that the popular whiparound show will no longer be a commercial free zone.
Hanson appeared as a guest on the Pat McAfee Show this afternoon, discussing the start of the 2025 NFL season. During previous RedZone broadcasts, Scott Hanson always began them with “7 hours of commercial free football starts now!” However, when asked about how the intro will go by McAfee, Hanson said there will be a twist when he begins the broadcast on Sunday afternoon:
Scott Hanson confirms NFL RedZone will have commercials in some capacity this season — which is something he has no control over.
The intro will be: “7 hours of RedZone Football start now.”
(via @PatMcAfeeShow)pic.twitter.com/qJHM8RmPb9
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 3, 2025
With the words “7 hours of RedZone Football start now,” that slight twist all but confirms that the show will now be subject to commercials for the first time.
Commercial creep has become more pronounced on sports broadcasts over the past couple of years. Sometimes, they appear in a small box while action continues to be shown on the screen. During football broadcasts, we will see the announcers step aside for commercials between plays or during coach’s challenges or video reviews. They could be full-fledged commercial breaks, which could allow Scott Hanson a chance to take a breather. Hanson famously does not drink water before or during a show so he can remain on air for the entirety of the broadcast and avoid the need for bathroom breaks. Full commercials could give him a chance to remain hydrated or hit the men’s room if necessary. However, if it were up to him, RedZone football would be commercial free football.
No matter how commercials are displayed on NFL RedZone this season, we as fans will have to get used to it. As the broadcast moves under ESPN control, hopefully it retains some of what made it popular in the first place.