Introduction
In early September 2025, Jimmy Donaldson—better known as MrBeast—released a sensational YouTube video titled, “I Bought the NFL”, featuring none other than NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The video sparked widespread buzz, with many fans taking the tongue-in-cheek announcement at face value. But what is the truth behind this claim? Did MrBeast purchase the NFL? Who really owns the NFL? Read on for the full breakdown.
Did MrBeast Buy the NFL?
Simple answer: No. MrBeast did not actually buy the NFL.
In the video—a high-production-value promotional sketch—MrBeast and Roger Goodell impersonate a press conference in which Goodell announces, “The NFL is now under the ownership of one individual, Jimmy Donaldson, MrBeast.” MrBeast follows up by proclaiming, “I officially own the NFL,” before revealing a fictional change: adding a 54th roster spot for a YouTuber on each team—featuring creators like iShowSpeed, Dude Perfect, and Brooke Monk.
However, the final reveal makes it clear: this was all a joke, part of a promotional campaign to mark YouTube’s upcoming exclusive, free livestream of the Week 1 NFL game: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs, scheduled for September 5, 2025, in São Paulo, Brazil.
Multiple reputable outlets clarified that MrBeast hasn’t purchased the league. YouTube’s own blog similarly confirmed the campaign’s promotional nature, not a real acquisition.
Who Really Owns the NFL?
Collective Ownership by 32 Franchises
The NFL is not owned by a singular entity. It functions as a trade association comprised of 32 member teams—each a privately owned franchise. The league’s commissioner, currently Roger Goodell, serves as an executive figure overseeing league-wide operations, but he does not own the NFL.
The Green Bay Packers are the lone exception: they’re publicly owned by more than half a million shareholders and structured as a nonprofit corporation—a grandfathered exception to NFL ownership rules.
Except for the Packers, each team has one principal controlling owner, typically required to hold at least a 30% stake. Many teams also allow limited minority ownership, and institutional/private equity ownership has been increasingly permitted since a rule change in late 2024.
Notable Team Owners
Here are a few illustrative examples:
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Denver Broncos: Owned by the Walton-Penner group (Rob Walton & family)—one of the wealthiest ownership groups in the league.
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New England Patriots: Owned by Robert Kraft, who acquired the team in 1994 and continues as principal owner ESPN.comWikipedia.
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New York Giants: Under majority control of John Mara and Steve Tisch, traced back to the founding Mara family.
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Kansas City Chiefs: Controlled by the Hunt family.
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Green Bay Packers: Publicly owned, nonprofit corporation.
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Washington Commanders: Acquired in 2023 by investor groups including David Blitzer and Josh Harris.
MrBeast NFL—The Campaign Breakdown
Here’s what the “MrBeast buys the NFL” campaign actually did:
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Created a viral video, blending comedy and spectacle to get attention.
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Secured media coverage from prominent outlets like E! Online, Times of India, Economic Times, Hindustan Times, and Bleacher Report, articulating the stunt and dispelling misconceptions.
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Promoted YouTube’s first-ever free global livestream of an NFL regular-season game.
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Reinforced MrBeast’s brand of over-the-top generosity and entertainment—all while making NFL accessible to broader, younger demographics through streaming.
Summary
| Keyword Phrase | Coverage Summary |
|---|---|
| Did MrBeast buy the NFL? | Debunked—it was a promo, not real. |
| Who owns the NFL? | Explains league structure and team ownership. |
| MrBeast NFL, Mr Beast, etc. | Clarifies the campaign and MrBeast’s role. |
| MrBeast buys NFL, does Mr Beast own the NFL | Reaffirmed as fictional scenario. |
| Did MrBeast actually buy the NFL | Confirmed false, part of a promotion. |
Conclusion
No, MrBeast did not buy the NFL. The claim was a clever marketing stunt tied to YouTube’s first-ever free exclusive broadcast of an NFL game.
In reality, the NFL remains owned by its 32 franchise owners, each independent—except for the unique case of the publicly owned Green Bay Packers. The commissioner, while influential, is not an owner.
The campaign succeeded in capturing headlines and driving attention to the upcoming Chargers vs. Chiefs game livestream on September 5, 2025, marking a watershed moment in sports and digital entertainment collaboration.
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