ESPN Acquires NFL Assets, Including NFL Network and RedZone
In a strategic move that redefines the sports landscape, ESPN has announced the acquisition of NFL Network and other media assets from the National Football League (NFL). This agreement, revealed Tuesday night, implies that the NFL will obtain a 10% stake in the sports network. The acquisition includes the linear rights to the popular RedZone channel. In addition, ESPN will integrate the NFL fantasy product into its existing platform, transforming ESPN Fantasy Football into the official game of the NFL. In a separate agreement, the NFL has licensed ESPN for additional content and intellectual property that will appear on NFL Network and other assets.ESPN will operate NFL Network, controlling its linear and digital rights. The channel will be integrated into ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming platform and will continue to be available on traditional pay-TV providers. ESPN will also license three additional NFL games per season, totaling 28. NFL Network will continue to broadcast seven games per season, with some changes to ESPN’s original schedule. The specific dates and games have not yet been announced. According to a joint statement, ESPN will own extensive rights to RedZone, including the trademark, and will continue to distribute the channel to pay-TV operators. The NFL will continue to own, operate, and produce the RedZone channel, and will retain the rights for its digital distribution. The league will continue to own and operate some of its media businesses, including NFL Films and NFL.com.By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN’s reach and innovation, we are creating a premier destination for football fans. Together, ESPN and the NFL are redefining how fans engage with the game, anytime, anywhere.
Jimmy Pitaro, President of ESPN
In May, ESPN announced that its streaming service will launch in early fall with a price of $29.99 per month and will retain the name of the linear channel: ESPN. The direct-to-consumer service will allow users to access the seven national linear ESPN channels, as well as ESPN on ABC and several other streaming options.Today’s announcement paves the way for the world’s leading sports media brand and the most popular sport in the United States to offer an even more compelling experience for NFL fans, in a way that only ESPN and Disney can.
Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company
