NFL Schedule Making: How AI is Used for Optimization
The NFL’s schedule-making process has become increasingly intricate as the league expands its partnerships with streaming platforms, international games, and holiday specials. A crucial but often overlooked aspect of scheduling involves considering factors beyond just football that can influence viewership trends.
Recentive Analytics is a key player in assisting the NFL with predicting the impact of various external elements on viewership. Founded by Andy Tabrizi, the company’s focus goes beyond the realm of football to incorporate a wide range of factors that can affect a fan’s decision to tune in to a game.
By utilizing data from over 1,200 sources, Recentive Analytics helps the NFL forecast viewership numbers across different time slots, channels, and matchups. Tabrizi and his team consider minuscule details and hyper-specific external factors to create a comprehensive model that reflects the diverse influences on NFL viewership.
For example, the state of the economy can play a role in determining how many people tune in to watch NFL games. When times are good, individuals may have more leisure time to dedicate to watching sports, whereas during economic downturns, other obligations may take precedence over football viewing.
Despite the challenges posed by external factors, the NFL continues to attract a large audience, with an average of 18.7 million viewers per game during the 2025 regular season. This success has led to the league securing lucrative media rights deals with streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix in addition to traditional networks.
Recentive Analytics’ innovative approach to forecasting viewership has proven to be a valuable asset in helping the NFL navigate the complex landscape of scheduling and maximize its audience reach. By considering a wide range of external variables, the NFL can adapt its strategies to meet the evolving needs and preferences of viewers, ensuring that football remains a prominent part of their lives.
