NEWS: Disney Strikes Deal with NFL for Partial ESPN Ownership

We got some big news for sports fans!

©ESPN

Disney’s ESPN and the NFL are entering into a new type of relationship. It was just announced that the NFL is now becoming a minority owner of ESPN. What could this mean for the future of the NFL or ESPN? Will there be new experiences for sports fans? Let’s take a look at the details!

According to Variety, the Walt Disney Company and the National Football League have officially closed a deal, giving the NFL a 10% ownership stake in ESPN as part of a much broader acquisition of media assets. The agreement marks a significant shift in how the NFL is packaged, distributed, and consumed on television and digital platforms. This is a pretty big deal considering how popular a sport it is in America!

ESPN Wide World of Sports

ESPN will gain full ownership and operational control of NFL Network, the NFL RedZone channel, and the league’s official fantasy football service. In exchange, the NFL receives a minority equity position in ESPN, which now gives the league a direct stake in one of the country’s most prominent sports broadcasters.

ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World

ESPN will integrate NFL Network into its existing platforms. Fans will soon be able to access football content in one place. On top of that, the NFL Network and RedZone are expected to remain available across cable and satellite providers as part of ESPN’s broader sports portfolio. So, there will be no shortage of football.

©NFL

This will clearly give the NFL a different look at how its content is now presented on television and streaming. It was reported that ESPN will also license additional NFL games each season, and that they will maintain the NFL Network’s distinct identity and programming while taking advantage of ESPN’s larger direct-to-consumer reach.

©ESPN

There is some room for ESPN to go back on this deal in the future if they so choose. It was reported that ESPN could buy back that 10% stake close to a decade in the future under certain conditions. As for right now, this is the deal they’re rolling with.

©Disney

Essentially, NFL fans will now have an easier time accessing everything under one major sports media brand. This includes games, fantasy football — you name it. This deal will start off hot, as this will mark ESPN’s first Super Bowl broadcast under this new structure.

Wide World of Sports

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What are your thoughts on the new deal? Let us know in the comments!