Twitter, NFL to Boost Football Content

Twitter Inc. and the National Football League said they are forming a multiyear partnership to deliver official NFL video and other related content, extending a pact that began in 2013 through Twitter Amplify.

The companies plan to offer official NFL content created for the Twitter platform over the Internet and on mobile devices. Under the agreement, Twitter users will have access to significantly more NFL content than before.

Twitter has been seeking to be a bigger player in live events as the social-media company looks to attract a larger number of average Internet users.

In a release Monday, the firms cited Nielsen Co. data that indicates the 2014 NFL regular season reached 202.3 million unique viewers, representing 80% of all television homes and 68% of potential viewers in the U.S.

The agreement comes as Twitter is seeking a new chief executive to replace Dick Costolo, who stepped down in June. A Twitter executive who has emerged as a possible successor to Mr. Costolo, Anthony Noto, has past ties to the NFL, where he served as financial chief from 2008 to 2010. Mr. Noto has been credited with bringing the NFL out of financial turmoil and restructuring a labor deal between team owners and players.

On Friday, The Wall Street Journal also reported that Mr. Costolo may step down from Twitter's board once his permanent replacement is hired.

Twitter's board also includes former bosses and co-founders Ev Williams and Jack Dorsey, who is currently interim CEO. The Journal reported that in its present state, the new CEO would have to report to a board that includes three predecessors, two of which are co-founders. To attract the best candidate, the board would consider replacing Mr. Costolo, the Journal reported.

Write to Tess Stynes at [e-mail]

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