Tuesday Evening — The Walt Disney Company subsidiary ESPN announced today a proposed agreement to acquire NFL Network and several other intellectual property assets from the National Football League (NFL). In exchange, the NFL will receive a 10% equity stake in ESPN, marking a significant strategic partnership between the two entities.
Under the nonbinding agreement, ESPN will assume ownership of the NFL Network, the league’s RedZone Channel, NFL Fantasy, and additional media properties. The NFL, in turn, will be granted a 10% equity stake in ESPN, further aligning the interests of both parties.
ESPN plans to integrate NFL Network into its forthcoming direct-to-consumer streaming service. The RedZone Channel will be incorporated into Disney’s broader network distribution portfolio, while ESPN Fantasy Football and NFL Fantasy will merge to offer fans an enhanced experience.
In a complementary nonbinding deal, the NFL will license select content and intellectual property to ESPN for use across NFL Network and related platforms.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell praised the transaction, stating, “Since its launch in 2003, NFL Network has provided millions of fans unprecedented access to the sport they love. This sale to ESPN will build on that legacy, delivering more NFL football to fans in innovative ways.”
The agreement will expand the availability of NFL programming across multiple platforms, including ESPN’s upcoming streaming service, while maintaining presence on cable, satellite, and other providers. ESPN will also license three additional NFL games per season to air on NFL Network, which will adjust its schedule to present seven games annually.
The NFL will retain ownership and operation of NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, the NFL Podcast Network, official team websites, and digital distribution rights for NFL RedZone.
Disney CEO Robert A. Iger hailed the deal as a transformative step, saying it “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.”
ESPN Chair Jimmy Pitaro added, “By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN’s reach and innovation, we’re creating a premier destination for football fans, redefining how fans engage with the game anytime, anywhere.”
The transaction remains subject to final agreements, NFL team owner approvals, and other customary closing conditions.
For further information, counsel details for both parties were not available at the time of this release.
