ESPN reportedly selling equity stake for RedZone and other NFL properties | NFL
ESPN concluded an agreement with the NFL to buy Redzone, NFL Network and Other League Holdings, the Athletic reported on Friday.
The NFL will receive equity in ESPN which “potentially worth billions” in exchange, according to the report. An official announcement is expected next week, ending a period of four years of complicated and reverse negotiations.
The two parties refused to provide comments to athletics.
In addition to Redzone and NFL Network, ESPN will have access to seven regular season games and the NFL fantastic football operations, as well as the potential to integrate sports betting and other special features.
NFL’s equity participation in ESPN could reach 10%, CNBC reported for the first time and athletics confirmed.
An ESPN-NFL agreement would require regulatory approval, a process that could take up to a year.
Both parties already have a comfortable relationship. ESPN pays to the NFL around 2.7 billion dollars per year to broadcast a total of 25 games, including football on Monday evening. The network also holds rights to Super Bowls in 2027 and 2031.
The agreement reported on Friday comes when ESPN is preparing to launch its direct service to consumers, subscribers paying $ 29.99 per month to bypass cable and satellite suppliers to see all the programs of the network via the ESPN application.
