ESPN Is Once Again Nearing a Deal to Purchase NFL Media For $2 Billion

Over the last several years, The Walt Disney Company has explored numerous options regarding ESPN’s future. In an ever-changing media landscape, it has long been clear that The Worldwide Leader in Sports’ traditional role as a cable powerhouse will not be sustainable forever.

The question for Disney, then, was how to best position ESPN as it entered the streaming era.

Photo:GETTY IMAGES FOR ESPN

Disney Has Explored Numerous Options

Since Bob Iger returned to the helm of Disney in November 2022, numerous options for ESPN’s future have been explored. At one time, it looked like Disney could spin off ESPN as its own entity. Later, there were thoughts that the network would attempt to partner with one of the sports leagues. Then, of course, there was the saga of Venu Sports.

Eventually, Disney settled on a combination of the direct-to-consumer ESPN Flagship and a merger of Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.

Photo: Fubo

Just when it looked like the future of ESPN was finally clear, a long dormant deal may have been revived.

ESPN May Be Nearing a Purchase of NFL Media

The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand now reports that ESPN and the NFL have reignited discussions about the Worldwide Leader acquiring NFL Media. According to the media insider, the deal would cost ESPN $2 billion and could see the NFL take equity in the network.

Photo: ESPN

For ESPN, the appeal of NFL Media is clear. As the network prepares to dive headfirst into the world of streaming with the launch of Flagship later this year, ESPN will add the NFL Network and Red Zone to its cache of content.

Along with the NFL Network, ESPN would acquire the rights to eight NFL games and popular studio shows, including Good Morning Football. The addition of Red Zone would instantly make Flagship a must-have app for football fans.

Photo: NFL

“When we look back in 10, 15 years if this deal goes down, this could be a very significant point for ESPN’s growth when you’re adding it all up, and we’re really in a full streaming world,” Marchand explained. “I think it’s pretty significant whether it happens in the next few months or not.”

The Benefits of Partnering With the NFL

In addition to the influx of content, ESPN’s purchase of NFL Media would further tie the network to the most popular sport in the United States.

Photo: Deadline

As ESPN embarks on its next chapter, the NFL would have a vested interest in the network’s success. While that may raise antitrust questions down the line, for ESPN, the deal feels like a no-brainer.