The NHRA could soon have a new media rights structure in place for its Mission Foods Drag Racing Series in 2027.
According to a report published Friday by Sports Business Journal, the sanctioning body is in advanced negotiations on its next domestic media rights agreement, with Fox Sports, The CW and FloSports all expected to have roles when the new cycle begins next season.
Citing people familiar with the negotiations, Sports Business Journal reported the leading scenario under discussion would divide the linear television package between Fox Sports and The CW. Under that arrangement, Fox would retain part of the schedule while The CW would televise another portion of the season, potentially including races later in the year.
Sports Business Journal also reported that FloSports is part of the discussions and could emerge with additional digital rights under the next agreement. Neither the financial terms nor the length of the proposed deals has been made public.
According to Sports Business Journal, NHRA, Fox Sports, The CW and FloSports each declined comment on the negotiations.
Fox Sports has carried NHRA national event coverage since 2016, televising the sanctioning body’s premier series across the Fox broadcast network and FS1. NHRA also operates its own NHRA TV streaming platform.
If completed, the reported agreement would mark the first significant change to NHRA’s domestic television package since Fox became the series’ broadcast partner a decade ago. The CW has steadily expanded its sports programming in recent years, while FloSports has increased its investment in motorsports through streaming partnerships.
Sports Business Journal first reported in March that The CW had emerged as a potential contender for NHRA’s next media rights package. The publication also previously reported that Nexstar Media Group Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Lee Ann Gliha, whose company owns The CW, serves on the NHRA Board of Directors. According to the report, NHRA established board guidelines during the negotiations to address any potential conflict-of-interest concerns.
The report also noted that ESPN, which televised NHRA competition from 2001 through 2015, could regain an indirect connection to the series if The CW becomes a broadcast partner. Beginning next week, The CW’s live sports programming will also be available through the ESPN App.
According to Sports Business Journal, Fox Sports is averaging 599,000 viewers across the Fox broadcast network and FS1 for NHRA events this season, a 17 percent increase over the same point in 2025.
No timetable for a formal announcement has been made, although Sports Business Journal reported the negotiations are expected to conclude within the next several weeks.
