Football Score: ESPN Acquires Rights To NFL Assets NFL Network, RedZone, Fantasy
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 01:56PM By Barry Janoff
August 6, 2025: En route to complete domination of the sports media world, ESPN has entered into a non-binding agreement with the NFL to acquire NFL Network and certain other media assets owned and controlled by the NFL, including NFL’s linear RedZone Channel and NFL Fantasy.
Under terms of the deal, the NFL gets a 10% equity stake in ESPN.
ESPN is 80% owned by ABC, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Co., and 20% by Hearst.
In addition to the sale of NFL Network, the NFL and ESPN are entering into a second non-binding agreement, under which the NFL will license to ESPN certain NFL content and other intellectual property to be used by NFL Network and other assets.
ESPN and the NFL have also reached new licensing agreements, extending ESPN’s NFL Draft rights and, separately, adding NFL programming and content to ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer service (launching Aug. 21), as well as to Disney+.
The agreement includes the opportunity for people to bundle ESPN’s DTC service with NFL+ Premium.
The agreements between ESPN and the NFL are subject to approval from NFL owners and government regulators.
"By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN's reach and innovation, we're creating a premier destination for football fans," ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said via the network.
“Together, ESPN and the NFL are redefining how fans engage with the game — anytime, anywhere. This deal helps fuel ESPN's digital future, laying the foundation for an even more robust offering as we prepare to launch our new direct-to-consumer service."
In a separate deal, WrestleMania will be part of ESPN's new direct-to-consumer streaming service starting in 2026 thanks to an agreement between WWE and ESPN. (Full story here.)
The NFL Network will be owned and operated by ESPN, which will control the network's linear and digital rights. The NFL Network will be integrated into ESPN's upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming product, and it will continue to be available on traditional pay TV providers.
ESPN platforms will also license three additional NFL games per season, giving it a total of 28.
NFL Network will continue to show seven games per season, with some games shifting to NFL Network from ESPN's original schedule. Dates and games were not unveiled.
All of the ESPN-owned games will air on linear and ESPN's direct-to-consumer platform.
ESPN will own broad rights to RedZone, including the trademark, and continue to distribute the channel to pay TV operators. The NFL will continue to own, operate and produce the RedZone channel and will keep the rights to distribute it digitally.
The league will also continue to own and operate some of its media businesses, including NFL Films and NFL.com.
"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, in a way that only ESPN and Disney can," Robert Iger, Disney Co. CEO, said via the company.
"By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN's reach and innovation, we're creating a premier destination for football fans."
"Commissioner Goodell and the NFL have built outstanding media assets, and 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."
The multi-year NFL Draft licensing agreement builds upon ESPN’s history surrounding the event over the past 46 years, with ESPN in 19800 the first network to televise the selection process..
Beginning with the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh (April 23-25), Disney+ and Hulu will also stream ESPN, ABC and ESPN Deportes’ trio of Draft presentations. All offerings will be available on ESPN’s DTC service.
Additional alternate NFL Draft presentations from ESPN will be available on the same streaming platforms, as will a new daily show dedicated to the NFL Draft. The show, to air on ESPN2 most days, will launch the day following the Super Bowl and continue through that year’s Draft.
ESPN and ABC will each produce telecasts for Rounds 1-3 on Thursday and Friday — a mainstay of ESPN’s presentation since 2019. On Saturday, ESPN will continue to air Rounds 4-7, 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.
"Since its launch in 2003, NFL Network has provided millions of fans unprecedented access to the sport they love," NFL commissioner Goodell said via the league.
”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."
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