NFL RedZone will have commercials for the first time, host says

NFL RedZone has long been a football fan's dream: From 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. every Sunday, the live broadcast provides a look in during the most pivotal moments of every game. You experience every touchdown, field goal, fumble, interception, sack and big play in real time.

And viewers have grown accustomed to hearing host Scott Hanson start the broadcast with these words: "Seven hours of commercial-free football starts now!"

Until this year.

Hanson confirmed that the broadcast will feature commercials for the first time.

"The business folks handle the business, and I have no say over different elements that could or could not be in the show,” Hanson said on ESPN's "The Pat McAfee Show."

“When you see me come on the air, we’re gonna hit the Octobox, we’ve got eight games in the early window, taking you around to all the different cities. And then when we get into it, ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s been more than 250 days since the first full NFL Sunday, but we are back! And seven hours of RedZone football starts now.’”

ESPN acquired the NFL Network and other NFL media assets last month, including the rights to NFL RedZone. In return, the league acquired a 10% equity stake in the company.

Hanson said fans shouldn't worry about a big adjustment in their viewing.

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“We are not going to sacrifice any great football for any of the business side of things,” Hanson said. “We will not miss a touchdown.”

McAfee said he doesn't believe fans won't have an issue with the additional commercials.

"I don't think anybody is upset about the commercials," he said. "It's an easy thing to tweet about and post about, but I don't think anybody is turning it off because of the commercials, and the NFL knows that."

Asked whether the change would finally allow him to use the bathroom during the seven-hour period, Hanson had a quick response.

"No."