NFL is expected to take an ownership stake in ESPN

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It’s anticipated that The Walt Disney Company will reveal that the National Football League has purchased a share in their sports media asset, ESPN, based on information from sources involved in the matter.

It’s possible that Disney will disclose details about their deal during their earnings discussion on Wednesday. Neither the NFL nor ESPN responded to requests for comments by Friday.

In exchange for an ownership share, ESPN is anticipated to assume control over the NFL’s cable channels, such as the NFL Network and Red Zone, a highly-regarded channel that keeps fans updated on the schedule of Sunday matches. Additionally, the NFL Network holds broadcast rights for several late-season regular games.

Additionally, the NFL manages its own film production division, NFL Films, and NFL Plus, a streaming platform which allows users to view games and relevant content on their portable devices.

Hollywood Inc.

ESPN, once famously called the ‘Global Pioneer in Sports,’ is currently facing challenges such as cord-cutting, increasing costs for broadcasting rights, and doubts from financial markets.

ESPN currently holds the broadcasting rights for “Monday Night Football” and two Super Bowl games, as per their NFL contract which extends until 2033. However, it’s anticipated that this agreement will be renegotiated in 2029. The potential new deal with Disney could lead to intense competition among the NFL’s other media partners like Fox, NBC, CBS, YouTube, and Amazon when the broadcasting rights are up for bidding again. In other words, ESPN (which Disney has a stake in) might be one of several contenders for the media rights in the future.

Over the past year and a half, I’ve found myself deeply involved in talks between the NFL and Disney. These conversations have intensified due to growing worries about ESPN’s sustainability amidst consumers increasingly opting out of, or cancelling, traditional pay-TV subscriptions.

For quite some time, ESPN has been the priciest component in the pay-TV package, approaching almost $9 for each subscriber. As of now, it’s found in approximately 73 million households, which is a decrease from the 98.5 million homes it was in back in 2013.

ESPN is making a move to fit into the streaming world by introducing its initial, self-contained, direct-to-consumer platform. This new service allows viewers to enjoy all of ESPN’s channels without requiring a traditional pay TV subscription. The monthly cost will be set at $29.99.

The television ratings for ESPN have increased, and the demand for advertising spots has stayed robust because advertisers appreciate viewers who tune in to live broadcasts.

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2025-08-01 23:01