The social media service Twitter has won the rights to broadcast Thursday night U.S. National Football League (NFL) games. Twitter will live stream the 16 games online next season. The games will also be broadcast on television.

　　National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell made the announcement Tuesday morning on Twitter.

　　"This fall Thursday Night Football will be streamed live...so fans will see more of this," Goodell tweeted.

　　The league offered the games to many other companies, including Facebook, Amazon and Verizon. Verizon is in the last year of a sponsorship deal with the NFL. The league makes about $250 million dollars per year from the deal.

　　The exact terms of the NFL deal with Twitter were not available. But, Twitter reportedly did not offer the most money of the bidders.

　　Roger Goodell said there is a huge number of NFL related messages on Twitter during football games. He says the organization wants to tap into that audience.

　　He said, "Twitter is where live events unfold and is the right partner for the NFL as we take the latest step in serving fans around the world live NFL football."

　　Pivotal moment

　　Twitter's stock value has decreased by more than 66 percent over the past year. As a result, investors have been pressuring Twitter to increase profits. Twitter shares rose by more than 3.5 percent in value after news spread about the company's deal with the NFL.

　　Twitter's success is also measured by the number of active monthly users. Twitter has not had similar growth trajectory compared to the other social media sites like Facebook and Instagram.

　　The NFL is hoping to reach new advertisers and viewers with the Twitter deal.

　　Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said the agreement, "is about transforming the fan experience with football."

　　I'm Marsha James.

　　The Associated Press reported this story. Marsha James adapted it for VOA Learning English. Cay Weaver was the editor.