Why is mnf not on abc

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: MNF (Monday Night Football) is not on ABC because ESPN acquired exclusive rights to the NFL's Monday night package in 2006, ending ABC's 36-year run. The current contract, running from 2023 through 2033, is worth approximately $2.7 billion annually. ABC last aired MNF in 2005, with the final game being a December 26 matchup between the New England Patriots and New York Jets.

Key Facts

ABC aired Monday Night Football from 1970 through 2005 for 36 consecutive seasons
ESPN acquired exclusive rights to Monday Night Football starting with the 2006 NFL season
The current ESPN-NFL contract runs from 2023 through 2033 with a value of approximately $2.7 billion annually
ABC's final Monday Night Football broadcast was on December 26, 2005 (Patriots vs. Jets)
The move to ESPN was part of Disney's strategy to leverage its cable network for higher subscription fees

Overview

Monday Night Football (MNF) represents one of the most iconic television franchises in American sports history, premiering on ABC in 1970 with a game between the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets. For 36 consecutive seasons, ABC broadcast MNF, making it the longest-running prime-time sports series in television history. The program revolutionized sports broadcasting by bringing NFL games to prime-time television, consistently drawing massive audiences that peaked at over 21 million viewers during the 1980s. Key figures like Howard Cosell, Frank Gifford, and Don Meredith became household names through their commentary. The show's cultural impact extended beyond sports, influencing television scheduling and advertising strategies throughout its ABC run from 1970 to 2005.

How It Works

The transition from ABC to ESPN occurred through a strategic business decision by The Walt Disney Company, which owns both networks. In 2005, Disney negotiated a new 8-year contract with the NFL worth $8.8 billion for Monday night rights, shifting the broadcast exclusively to ESPN starting with the 2006 season. This move was designed to leverage ESPN's cable subscription model, where the network could charge cable providers higher fees for carrying the popular NFL content. The current contract structure, established in 2021, extends through the 2033 season and includes provisions for ESPN to simulcast select games on ABC as part of special events, but maintains ESPN as the primary Monday night broadcaster. The financial model relies on advertising revenue combined with subscriber fees from cable and streaming services.

Why It Matters

The shift from ABC to ESPN has significant implications for both viewers and the sports media landscape. For audiences, it means MNF is now primarily available through cable subscriptions or streaming services rather than free over-the-air broadcast television, potentially limiting access for some viewers. For the NFL, the move to ESPN has generated substantially higher revenue through the cable model's dual income streams of advertising and subscriber fees. The current contract provides the NFL with approximately $2.7 billion annually from ESPN alone. This business model has influenced how other sports leagues structure their media rights, contributing to the broader trend of premium sports content migrating from broadcast to cable and streaming platforms.