ESPN and the National Football League have officially entered into a non-binding agreement. The deal will transfer ownership of NFL Network, RedZone Channel, and NFL Fantasy to ESPN in exchange for a 10% equity stake in the network.
A separate licensing agreement is also in place for the NFL to provide ESPN with rights to distribute additional league content and intellectual property. The agreements mark a bold step forward in aligning America’s most-watched sports league with its most recognizable sports media brand.
“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,” said Disney CEO Bob Iger. “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.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell echoed the sentiment, calling the agreement a continuation of the league’s media evolution.
“Since its launch in 2003, NFL Network has provided millions of fans unprecedented access to the sport they love,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “Whether it was debuting Thursday Night Football, televising the Combine, or telling incredible football stories through original shows and breaking news, NFL Network has delivered. The Network’s sale to ESPN will build on this remarkable legacy, providing more NFL football for more fans in new and innovative ways.”
The NFL Network, which launched in 2003, will be fully integrated into ESPN’s forthcoming direct-to-consumer (DTC) service. Under the new structure, ESPN will take full control of linear and digital rights associated with the NFL Network, distribute the RedZone Channel to pay TV providers, and merge NFL Fantasy Football with ESPN’s existing fantasy platform to create the league’s official season-long fantasy experience.
“This is an exciting day for sports fans,” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN. “We’re creating a premier destination for football fans. This deal helps fuel ESPN’s digital future as we prepare to launch our new DTC service.”
In total, ESPN will license an additional three NFL games per season to air on NFL Network. Four current ESPN NFL games will shift to the network from the NFL Network. NFL programming will remain on traditional pay-TV and streaming platforms, while also expanding its reach through ESPN’s digital offerings.
The NFL will retain control of key media properties including NFL Films, NFL.com, NFL+, and its 32 team websites. It will also continue to operate and produce NFL RedZone while maintaining digital distribution rights for that product.
Finalization of the deal remains subject to definitive agreements, various approvals including by the NFL team owners, and customary closing conditions.
ESPN, NFL Extend NFL Draft Partnership
ESPN and the NFL have also reached new licensing agreements to extend ESPN’s NFL Draft rights. The new multi-year agreement begins with the 2026 NFL Draft. ESPN, ABC, Hulu, Disney+, ESPN Deportes and ESPN’s DTC service will also air the event. A new daily show dedicated to the NFL Draft will also be created. It’s expected to air most days on ESPN2. The plan is to start the show the day after the Super Bowl and air it through each year’s Draft.
The breakdown of the agreement includes the following:
- ESPN and ABC to each produce telecasts for Rounds 1-3 on Thursday and Friday—a staple of ESPN’s presentation since 2019. Rounds 4-7 to air Saturday on ESPN, with ABC simulcasting the network’s coverage.
- ESPN can add other alternate telecasts across streaming platforms for Rounds 1-7.
- Premier football shows, College GameDay and NFL Live, will continue to be on-site from the NFL Draft.
- ESPN Radio will continue its live broadcast of the NFL Draft.
Additional Licensing Agreement For NFL Rights Via ESPN’s DTC Service
Separately, ESPN and the NFL have agreed to terms to expand the NFL experience across ESPN’s DTC service and Disney+. Rights for additional NFL content and interactive features are part of the agreement. ESPN’s DTC will stream select out-of-market NFL preseason games during the 2025 and 2026 seasons. The company will also be able to sell and bundle NFL+ Premium, the League’s DTC service that launched in 2022, with ESPN’s DTC service, giving fans the option to watch NFL Network and NFL RedZone through the NFL+ Premium offering.
Additional rights and features that ESPN will offer include:
- Highlights for ESPN’s new, innovative, and personalized SportsCenter For You, and the industry-leading ESPN Fantasy Football platform.
- Fans can utilize the new ESPN App multiview feature while watching ESPN’s NFL games and shows through the ESPN App.
- Deeper customization with enhanced interactive features that engage fans watching and following the NFL, including the ability to view personalized ESPN Fantasy Football team performance, legalized sports betting information and bet tracking, and integrated games stats on their connected television or mobile device.
- Exclusive to ESPN DTC subscribers, a video-on-demand Monday Night Football recap.
- Additional NFL content on Disney+. This including the potential for select NFL simulcasts for Disney+ subscribers and the inclusion of incremental highlight rights within shows like Vibe Check and SportsCenter+.
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