Pelissero to Netflix
Tom Pelissero Jumps to Netflix as NFL Sideline Reporter, Boosting Broadcasts and Ringer Podcasts
Key Points
Netflix’s 2026 NFL slate includes several marquee games beyond Week 1, such as the Week 1 Melbourne opener (Rams vs. 49ers) and high-profile mid-season and holiday games: Thanksgiving Eve (Packers vs. Rams), a Christmas Day doubleheader (Packers vs. Bears and Bills vs. Broncos), and a Week 18 finale.
Pelissero’s on-air pedigree includes a 2022 Vikings comeback broadcast pairing with Noah Eagle and more broadly serving as NFL Network’s Senior Bowl sideline reporter since 2019, underscoring his longtime sideline experience.
Netflix is presenting a five-game slate for Pelissero in 2026 and he will contribute to The Ringer’s NFL slate including co-hosting The Ringer NFL Show and appearing on NFL podcasts, with video versions on Netflix and Spotify as part of the Netflix/Spotify/The Ringer partnership.
Bill Simmons publicly welcomed Pelissero’s move with enthusiasm, replying “Let’s goooooooooooooo” to the announcement, highlighting the show's positive reception to his hire.
Tom Pelissero is landing on his feet fast. Just months after ESPN cut him in a wave of on-air talent layoffs, the veteran NFL insider has joined Netflix as a sideline reporter and insider, according to USA Today and Awful Announcing. He will cover all five of Netflix's NFL games in 2026.
Pelissero will also co-host The Ringer NFL Show and make weekly appearances on The Bill Simmons Podcast. Video versions of that content will stream on both Netflix and Spotify, as part of a three-way partnership between Netflix, Spotify, and The Ringer, Awful Announcing reported.
Pelissero's First Stop: Melbourne, Week 1
Pelissero's debut assignment is a big one. He will work the sidelines for the Rams vs. 49ers game in Melbourne, Australia — Netflix's Week 1 international opener, according to Yahoo Sports. It is one of the most high-profile kickoff games of the 2026 season.
He will join a broadcast team that includes play-by-play voice Noah Eagle, analyst Luke Kuechly, and reporter MJ Acosta-Ruiz. Pelissero previously worked with Eagle on a 2022 Vikings comeback broadcast, so the two already have chemistry in the booth.
Netflix's 2026 NFL Slate Is Loaded With Marquee Games
Beyond Week 1, Netflix's five-game 2026 schedule includes a Thanksgiving Eve matchup between the Packers and Rams. There is also a Christmas Day doubleheader: Packers vs. Bears and Bills vs. Broncos. The slate wraps with a Week 18 finale, Yahoo Sports reported.
Netflix is building its NFL brand fast. These games give the streamer prime real estate on some of the most-watched days of the football calendar. Adding a seasoned insider like Pelissero strengthens its reporting presence on the sideline for all five broadcasts.
From NFL Network to ESPN Layoff to Netflix Rebound
Pelissero spent years at NFL Network, where he served as a Senior Bowl sideline reporter starting in 2019. He then moved to ESPN, but was cut in 2026 as part of a broader purge of on-air talent, according to USA Today. His turnaround to Netflix happened quickly.
His hire shows how fast the media landscape is shifting. Streaming platforms like Netflix are now competing directly with traditional sports broadcasters for top talent. Pelissero's move is a clear sign that NFL insiders no longer need a legacy network to stay relevant.
Bill Simmons Cheers the Hire as Ringer Role Takes Shape
Bill Simmons made no effort to hide his excitement. When news of Pelissero's hire broke, Simmons replied publicly with "Let's goooooooooooooo" — a reaction that captured the enthusiasm around the move. Pelissero will appear on The Bill Simmons Podcast weekly as part of his new role.
He will also co-host The Ringer NFL Show and contribute to the network's broader NFL podcast slate. Video versions of the podcast content will be available on both Netflix and Spotify, deepening the three-way content deal that ties The Ringer's audio brand to two major streaming platforms, Awful Announcing reported.
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