The Thursday Night Football song is best known for its 2017 theme performed by hip-hop artist Lil Wayne, produced by Mike Will Made It. From 2103 to 2016, the NBC/ESPN package used Eminem’s "Lose Yourself"; when Fox acquired the rights in 2017, they introduced the Lil Wayne track. The arrangement is licensed specifically for broadcast and pregame use, and brief edits are common during commercial and highlight segments. This explainer covers the 2017 theme artist, original production credits, and how the anthem fits into the broader NFL television music strategy.
Who Performed the 2017 Thursday Night Football Theme
For the 2017 season, Fox and the NFL selected "Back Forwards" by Lil Wayne featuring Nelly and produced by Mike Will Made It as the main Thursday Night Football anthem. The song was released as a single under哥伦比亚/Republic Records and is used as the signature opener for Fox’s Thursday night broadcasts. It is not composed specifically for the NFL; rather, it is an existing track licensed for in-arena and on-air use. Broadcast edits trim the song to fit pregame intros and highlight reels while preserving the recognizable hook.
Key Credits for the 2017 Theme
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Performing Artist | Lil Wayne | Music credits, Fox/NFL announcements |
| Featured Artist | Nelly | Music credits |
| Producer | Mike Will Made It | Production credits, label releases |
| Release Year | 2017 | Single release dates |
| Label | Columbia Records / Republic Records | Label announcements |
| Licensed Use | Thursday Night Football pregame and highlight use | NFL/Fox broadcast materials |
Historical Context of Thursday Night Football Music
Before the 2017 switch, NBC/ESPN held broadcast rights and used Eminem’s "Lose Yourself" as the consistent anthem from 2013 to 2016. That track was closely associated with the NBC package, featured in prime-time intros and recap sequences. When Fox acquired Thursday night rights starting in 2017, the network introduced a new identity anchored by Lil Wayne’s more uptempo production. The change reflected both a network refresh and the NFL’s strategy to align each package with distinct musical branding. Since 2017, the league has allowed each broadcaster to tailor its anthem to match audience and creative direction.
How the Thursday Night Football Song Is Used On Air
The anthem appears in several broadcast contexts: pregame team introductions, commercial cutaways, highlight montages, and postgame segments. Broadcast edits typically shorten the track to 15–30 seconds while retaining the chorus for recognition. Live game audio often overlays crowd noise and play-by-play, so the song functions as a stylistic accent rather than a continuous theme. Production teams may further layer instrumental stings derived from the track for transitions. Because the license covers promotional and recap use, short clips are permissible across network promos and digital platforms.
Behind the Licensing and Music Rights
Using a commercial recording on broadcast television requires synchronization and master-use clearances. The NFL negotiates blanket licenses with record labels for network-specific usage, which allows brief but repeated airings of the selected track. Fox’s arrangement with Lil Wayne’s team covers in-arena play, on-screen graphics packages, and digital recap content. While the exact financial terms are not public, rights for high-profile sports themes typically run into seven figures annually due to broad multichannel exposure. This investment aims to strengthen identity and differentiate one network’s package from another in a crowded sports media landscape.
Evolution of the Thursday Night Football Anthem Beyond 2017
After 2017, Fox continued to rely on the Lil Wayne theme through subsequent seasons under renewed agreements. As broadcast rights shifted in later years, including partial NBC streaming windows and eventual Amazon Prime Video dominance, music strategies evolved again. By the mid-2020s, Thursday Night Football had moved to Amazon, and the audio identity shifted accordingly, with new production and different musical cues tailored for Prime Video’s presentation. Nevertheless, the 2017 Lil Wayne theme remains a reference point for fans who associate that sound with the Fox era of Thursday night games. Understanding this lineage helps explain how network branding and music choices reflect changing media rights.
Quick Comparison of Thursday Night Football Anthems (2013–2020s)
- 2013–2016: NBC/ESPN — Eminem, "Lose Yourself"
- 2017–2018: Fox — Lil Wayne, "Back Forwards" featuring Nelly
- 2019–2021: Fox with extended rights — continued use of Lil Wayne theme
- 2022+: Amazon Prime Video — new custom compositions and updated music strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who performed the Thursday Night Football song in 2017? Lil Wayne featuring Nelly, produced by Mike Will Made It.
- Was the song created specifically for NFL broadcasts? No; it is a preexisting track licensed for Thursday Night Football use.
- Did the anthem change when Amazon took over rights? Yes; Amazon introduced new music and sound design tailored for its Prime Video presentation.
- Can short clips of the Fox theme be used in social posts? Yes, limited clips are typically allowed for promotional and recap purposes under the network’s license agreements.
Key Takeaways
- The 2017 Thursday Night Football anthem was performed by Lil Wayne featuring Nelly.
- It was licensed from Columbia/Republic Records for Fox broadcasts and highlight use.
- The song was part of a broader network rebranding when Fox acquired the package.
- Music rights for sports broadcasts involve complex synchronization and master-use clearances.
- The anthem evolved with changing media rights, culminating in Amazon’s custom audio identity.