By Associated Press’s Joe Reedy
Next week, the NFL and ESPN are anticipated to reveal a deal that would give the sports network the majority of the league’s substantial media assets.
The multibillion-dollar arrangement would give the NFL an equity position in ESPN, according to people familiar with the deal.
Since the agreement has not been signed, the individuals talked to The Associated Press under the condition of anonymity. The Athletic was the first to report on it.
ESPN and the NFL remained silent.
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For almost five years, the NFL has been attempting to sell its media properties. For the previous three years, there have been intermittent discussions between the league and ESPN.
The suggested action coincides with ESPN’s anticipated direct-to-consumer service launch, which might occur before the end of August. For $29.99 a month, the service would grant cord cutters access to all of ESPN’s networks and programming. As part of their subscription, the majority of cable, satellite, and streaming service users will get the service for free.
In addition to NFL Network and seven more regular-season games (six foreign and one Saturday afternoon late-season match), ESPN would also gain access to the well-liked RedZone channel.
Rich Eisen, the anchor of NFL Network, said a few weeks ago that his three-hour show would be streamed on Disney+ and ESPN+ in addition to airing on ESPN Radio. NFL Network has no affiliation with The Rich Eisen Show.
Since 1987, ESPN has shown NFL games, and since 2006, Monday Night Football. It will host the 2027 and 2031 Super Bowls for the first time under the existing TV contract.
The second major professional league to launch its own network was the NFL Network, which debuted in November 2003. In the US, NBA TV debuted in 1999, followed by MLB Network in 2009 and NHL Network in 2007.
