ESPN on Tuesday announced its long-rumored and anticipated acquisition of the NFL Network and NFL RedZone, with the league in return taking a 10 percent equity stake in ESPN.
“This is an exciting day for sports fans,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. “By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN’s reach and innovation, we’re creating a premier destination for football fans. Together, ESPN and the NFL are redefining how fans engage with the game—anytime, anywhere.”
Under the agreement, NFL Network programming will be made available on ESPN’s direct-to-consumer product after the deal closes. It will also own rights to the NFL RedZone brand. The league will continue to own NFL.com and NFL Films as well as its podcast network and the NFL+ app.
“Today’s announcement paves the way for the world’s leading sports media brand and America’s most popular sport to deliver an even more compelling experience for NFL fans, in a way that only ESPN and Disney can,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said. “Commissioner (Roger) Goodell and the NFL have built outstanding media assets, and these transactions will add to consumer choice, provide viewers with even greater convenience and quality, and expand the breadth and value proposition of Disney’s streaming ecosystem.”
The deal is subject to approval. According to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, it could take “nine months to a year”. As Marchand notes, ABC — owned by Disney — will carry Super Bowl LXI in February 2027.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
