Pay-television broadcaster ESPN and the Fox and CBS networks have submitted bids for the rights to show as many as eight Thursday night NFL American football games, according to the Reuters news agency.
The NBC network, which already broadcasts NFL games on Sunday nights, was also expected to table a bid.
The league is reported to be seeking a one-year deal, covering the 2014-15 season, with the option of extending the agreement.
The NFL wants the games to be simulcast on the league-owned NFL Network, which currently shows 13 Thursday night match-ups per season.