NFL fans in meltdown as it emerges iconic RedZone show will now air commercials

NFL fans were left stunned on Wednesday as RedZone host Scott Hanson announced the iconic show would begin airing commercials.

The rights to the famously ad-free whip-around show were acquired by ESPN last month, and that will apparently bring a massive change.

Hanson appeared on the Pat McAfee Show one day before the start of the NFL season and revealed a modified version of his signature catchphrase.

'Seven hours of RedZone starts now,' he said, removing the phrase 'commercial-free football' like he used to say.

Hanson, who has hosted the show since it began in 2009, added: 'The business folks handle the business, and I have no say over different elements that could or could not be in the show.'

However, he added that commercials would be timed as not to disrupt important moments.

'We're not going to sacrifice any great football,' he said. 'We will not miss a touchdown.'

Nonetheless, fans were none too pleased with the major change to the show.

'The NFL is such a money grab they ruin every good thing,' one wrote on X.

'It's dead. The greatest television offering in the history of sports is dead,' another said. 'Corporate greed has ruined RedZone.'

And a third bemoaned that it was: 'The end of an era. One of the saddest days in human history.'

The change has come after the NFL and ESPN struck a deal for the league to gain a 10 percent equity stake in the network, with ESPN acquiring NFL Network and linear rights to RedZone.

Despite the changes to RedZone, fans will be able to enjoy a packed slate of football this Sunday, with eight games in the early 1pm window and four in the late afternoon window.

Notable matchups that Hanson will call this weekend include Aaron Rodgers' return to the Jets with the Steelers, the Giants' trip to the Commanders and the Lions at the Packers later in the day.