Jarryd Hayne’s exploits for San Francisco could soon be available on Australian television, with reports Channel Seven has entered talks with NFL executives to televise 49ers matches in the coming NFL season.
A Seven Network spokesperson confirmed yesterday that the network has been in contact with the NFL to discuss broadcasting Hayne’s matches, which could start as soon as his next trial game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
The former Parramatta Eels star has been making headlines in recent weeks with his stunning performances in the 49ers’ first two trial games.
While he still has some work to do in order to make the cut for the final 53-man roster when the season begins, the signs from his first two games suggest he is firmly in the running.
The US media is talking about him as one of the biggest success stories of the pre-season as he continues to wow audiences in both hemispheres.
At the moment however the only access Australian audiences have had to view Hayne’s trial games have been via the NFL’s online streaming services.
There is a free seven-day pass available for this service via the NFL website, but to watch all season long costs $180 to subscribe to a single team for the full season, or $230 for unrestricted access to all NFL games.
Seven currently has a license to televise three NFL games per week during the season proper, and does so via 7mate. The deal being discussed would more specifically cover a schedule of games including the 49ers’ remaining trial games and their regular-season games.
The Seven spokesperson said they expect an answer from the NFL within the next few days.
In October 2014 Hayne knocked back the largest contract ever offered to a NRL player and announced that he was quitting the league to follow his dream of becoming an NFL player.
In March 2015 it was announced that he had joined the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on a three year contract with $US100,000 guaranteed.
He made his pre-season debut against the Houston Texans on August 15, completing a 53-yard run with just his second touch of the ball.
In his most recent pre-season game against the Dallas Cowboys he finished as the game’s leading rusher with 54 yards from eight carries in the 49ers’ 23-6 victory.
AjaybeeKUMUL
Guest
Mate hayne the plane is a superstar here in Papua New Guinea...
no one in particular
Roar Guru
NBA ask for too much money, and can't really justify it given the time of day it's on
Squidward
Roar Rookie
There's still quite a bit of NFL on Mondays and even Tuesday's on 7mate though right?? Couple games a week. Doing better than the NBA which get nothing now ONE dropped it and foxtel have slim pickings, maybe 3-4 games a week
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
It was on ABC and SBS at different times both with Don Lane. The Tuesday night show with highlights from across the league and an "extended highlight" (ie a game compressed into about 45 minutes. I reckon the first time I saw a punt that didn't involve a really long return, or a 3 and out series, was the first superbowl I watched. It was still a good show.
BigAl
Guest
Yes, Don Lane on the ABC - it was my intro to the NFL, and Don and the structure of the whole show was brilliantly tailored to its audience of Aussie neophytes. Don with his renowned pleasantness and charm gave entertaining interludes on the history and culture around the game and players. These were interspersed between actual footage of a previous weeks game. This approach was critical, as pointed out above, NFL is pretty stop start - even the game footage was essentially cut down hightlights, as games can go well over three hours ! I've often thought that the structure of an NFL game and cricket are quite similar in that the bowler/quarterback has the ball, expectation builds up as they deliver the ball and a few moments of thrill and excitement may break out - but usually it doesn't ! Then all the players resume their positions to do it all again. One big difference being that the moments of excitement in NFL involve a lot more violence !
AussieBokkie
Guest
Great news! Can imagine the NFL administration are seriously excited about the prospect of Hayne tapping into new audiences outside of the U.S. The Hayne Plane is even getting coverage on Sky Sports News here in the UK! -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Timber Tim
Guest
it was on the ABC from 1990-1996 every Tuesday night from memory and then the superbowl party at the end it was great. Don Lane also did NCAA college football and basketball too. Miss those days when he would during the weekly shows explain the rules providing Aussies with no idea on the sport a chance to understand it.
Machooka
Roar Guru
@ Harvey Wilson Absolutely correct... Don Lane on SBS... and yes it was a long time ago. ' I would still rather watch paint dry.' How's your chess game ?
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
I used to watch American Football when hosted by Don Lane on SBS (i think). That was a long time ago. You think league is a stop-start game, its got nothing on NFL. Even with Hayne, I would still rather watch paint dry. Also why the special treatment? He has played only two games so far. What happens if he gets injured, will people still watch?