A New York Post report suggests that the NFL Network is slashing its production budget by as much as $20 million and cutting at least five shows — including one featuring network star Deion Sanders. Among the shows reportedly being canceled include Sanders’ “21 & Prime,” “Power Rankings,” “Pick ’em,” “Playbook” and “Mic’d Up,” some of which were new for the 2018 season. It’s also possible that the weekend edition of the popular “Good Morning Football” could be cut at some point. The reduced budget also could lead to some on-air talent either not being retained or being asked to take pay cuts. It’s not clear whether Sanders could be among the changes, although the report suggested that the budget changes have led to a “tense” atmosphere with the network’s talent. Deion Sanders, left, is having one of his shows dropped by NFL Network. (AP Photo) Why the changes? And why now? The suggested demise of the NFL — and by proxy, its network — were greatly exaggerated a few years back. The league still makes a lot of money, so this report feels a bit surprising. But an NFL Network spokesman actually denied that there were cuts and in fact indicated that the overall investment in the product was going up. The league appears to be gearing up for its centennial celebration in 2019, which could be why funds are being reallocated to other shows and series related to the 100th NFL season. “As part of an increased investment in programming and content for 2019, NFL Network will unveil several shows geared towards a celebration of the NFL’s 100th season,” NFL network spokesman Alex Riethmiller said in a statement to The Post. “These shows will replace a handful of existing shows from our 2018 schedule.” The league’s highly successful commercial to kick off its 100th anniversary celebration aired at the Super Bowl and was well-received. The two-minute spot (and shorter versions of it) featured some of the game’s living greats — many in tuxedos — scrambling for a loose ball in a highly entertaining affair. NFL Network is still spending, however Story continues It’s not as if the network hasn’t added frontline talent to its arsenal. Former Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas is one of the network’s more promising additions in recent years, and it appears he will have a big role on TV. From a network press release, Thomas will be joining “NFL Network's on-location pregame and postgame shows for the 13 Thursday Night Football games during the 2019 season,” and also will be used on big-event coverage, such as Super Bowl LIV, the NFL scouting combine and the NFL draft, as well as other network programs such as the network’s flagship show, “Total Access,” and “NFL GameDay Morning." It’s possible that the league is not expanding its budget for this season and instead dipping into it, which could explain the reported $20 million discrepancy and could be a reason for the “expected tense on-air personnel negotiations” in the coming weeks and months. And that could mean that, even with Thomas and others on board, there might be some familiar faces from the network that are pushed out the door in time. More from Yahoo Sports:<doc-sep>Getty Images The NFL is making billions, but that doesn’t mean it will throw an endless supply of money at its in-house network. Andrew Marchand of the New York Post reports that NFL Network has slashed $20 million from its budget, resulting in the cancellation of multiple shows. Gone, per Marchand, are the Deion Sanders vehicle 21 & Prime, Power Rankings, Pick ‘em, Playbook, and Mic’d Up. The league also may say goodnight to the weekend edition of Good Morning Football. The NFL explained the moves as an effort to focus more heavily on the league’s centennial season. “As part of an increased investment in programming and content for 2019, NFL Network will unveil several shows geared towards a celebration of the NFL’s 100th season,” NFL Network spokesman Alex Riethmiller told Marchand. “These shows will replace a handful of existing shows from our 2018 schedule.” Still, the new shows will be produced with $20 million less than the league budgeted for.<doc-sep>
NFL Network has been forced to send a big chunk of its budget elsewhere, and that could mean big changes are on the horizon. The New York Post’s Andrew Marchand reports the league’s in-house television platform is being forced to cut $20 million. NFL Network has already cut several programs, according to Marchand, and the downsizing could lead to on-air talent either departing or taking pay cuts. From the report: The less-than-hoped-for budget has made negotiations with on-air personnel tense, and there is a feeling some will either not be retained or be forced to take pay cuts, according to sources. The moves have been made as part of the NFL’s overall budget, which includes what is expected to be an amped-up celebration of the NFL’s 100th season this year. NFL Network has apparently absorbed part of the project into its budget. NFL Network is definitively cutting five programs. (Deion) Sanders’ “21 & Prime,” “Power Rankings,” “Pick ‘em” “Playbook” and “Mic’d Up” are off the air. The weekend edition of “Good Morning Football’s” future is in question. A couple of New Jersey ties to flush out here. The weekend edition of “Good Morning Football” is produced at NFL Films in Mount Laurel. Ex-Rutgers and Giants offensive lineman Shaun O’hara was an analyst on “Playbook.” NFL Network provided a statement to The Post claiming it is just using resources in a different manner as part of the celebration of the league’s 100th anniversary, which will include themed programs replacing the ones that were cut. But Marchand said the league did not address The Post’s reporting via sources “associated the cuts of the shows and the expected tense on-air personnel negotiations with the $20 million difference.” James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.