Florida fans may not have loved much about the Billy Napier era, but there’s at least one part of life around the Gators that still feels refreshingly simple: figuring out where to watch them.
That stands out even more now that Comcast is set to change its NBCUniversal setup, according to Awful Announcing. In practical terms, the sports rights for several properties tied to the NBC umbrella are heading to the market, and that could include Notre Dame games being shopped to a new bidder.
There was a time when Notre Dame’s NBC deal was a major edge, something few programs could match. That advantage is not what it used to be, even if Notre Dame still makes more money on its own than most schools.
NBC has also deepened its college football footprint through the Big Ten and "Big Ten Saturday Night," but the broader picture only underscores how messy things can get for other fanbases. Florida doesn’t have to deal with that kind of maze.
Right now, Gators games live under the ESPN banner. That means there’s little guessing involved when the schedule comes out, and fans don’t need a pile of different subscriptions to follow the season. The only real exception is the annual FCS game, which lands on ESPN+, a separate paywall.
That’s a far cry from what other conferences are dealing with. Big Ten games can be spread across Fox, FS1, NBC, Peacock, and ESPN.
ACC fans have to hunt down the CW. Big 12 fans are split between ESPN and TNT.
And if NBC decides to move more of its sports inventory around, there’s no telling where some of those games could end up. Amazon Prime and Netflix have to be lurking somewhere.
Florida fans have already lived through the old days of Jefferson-Pilot and pay-per-view just to see some games. Compared with that, the current setup is about as clean as it gets.
For now, at least, watching the Gators is still easy. The hope is that it stays that way.
In Other News...
Florida May Have One Answer To Its Biggest Line Concern
Florida spent much of the spring looking for stability on the interior of its offensive line, and TJ Shanahan Jr. quickly emerged as one of the more encouraging answers. The redshirt junior transferred in from Penn State and brought the kind of experience and physical presence the Gators need as Jon Sumralls staff begins shaping the roster for 2026, with offensive line coach Phil Trautwein already familiar with what Shanahan can offer.
Shanahan left spring practice as the projected leader for the open right guard job, which says plenty about how the staff views him entering fall camp. He is still going to have to hold off Bryce Lovett, but the early read is clear enough: Florida believes Shanahan can help settle a spot that has been a concern, and his clean work in 2025 at Penn State only adds to the optimism around him. [Read more 🡒]
Which Gators Are Ready To Become Floridas Most Electric Players In 2026
The conversation around Floridas 2026 offense and defense is already starting to take shape around a small group of players who look built to bring more juice to the field. Duke Clark, Vernell Brown III, Jayden Woods, Myles Graham and Alfonzo Allen Jr. all fit that mold in different ways, with the Gators banking on a mix of speed, versatility and growing roles to turn potential into production.
Clarks track speed and Browns flashes as a young playmaker give Florida a pair of skill-position names worth watching, while Woods and Graham could become central figures if their development matches the staffs expectations. Allens path is less certain, but his work last season still keeps him in the picture as the roster sorts itself out, which is part of what makes this group so intriguing heading into 2026. [Read more 🡒]
Thomas Haughs Return Just Changed What Florida Can Become
Thomas Haughs decision to come back to Florida for the 2026-27 season gives the Gators a major piece to build around after he had been viewed as a potential lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The return matters even more because he is not coming back alone, with Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu also set to be back in Gainesville, keeping a core intact that should give Florida real continuity heading into next season.
Haugh pointed to the current college basketball landscape as a big reason for staying, describing it as player-friendly and noting the opportunities available through Floridas collective. The broader picture could get even more interesting from there, since upcoming legislation may open the door for another season after this one, leaving Florida with the possibility of a longer runway than anyone expected when Haugh first started to look like a pro-level departure. [Read more 🡒]