ESPN and the NFL are in advanced talks that would give league a stake in the network
 

https://nypost.com/2024/01/12/sports...y-in-tv-giant/

ESPN and the NFL are in advanced talks that could result in the league taking an equity stake in ESPN, The Post has learned.

As part of a potential agreement, Disney-owned ESPN would take control of NFL Media, which includes NFL Network, and the league would receive equity in ESPN. For the long-term viability of ESPN aligning with the most powerful sports league would enhance its position as the network plans to move to direct to consumer by 2025.

While the idea of an ESPN-NFL alliance has been mentioned before, discussions between Disney-owned ESPN and the NFL are far enough along that sources said that owners and the Players Association are being informed about the talks.

The owners and players need to be involved in the equity agreement because of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the two sides that calls for them to share revenues. It is unclear of how an equity stake in ESPN would be accounted for in the CBA.

It still could take months for a deal to be finalized. Both ESPN and the NFL declined comment.

The NFL has been trying to unload its network for years now. In its recent talks that resulted in its $110-plus billion deals with ESPN, Amazon, CBS, Fox, NBC and YouTube, the NFL searched for a buyer, but was unsuccessful.

NFL Media consists of NFL Network, NFL.com, Red Zone, NFL Films and NFL+. Since ESPN covers the league thoroughly, there would be synergies if the two sides are able to reach an agreement. Disney/ESPN might be able to secure better carriage arrangements for NFL Network.

ESPN has targeted 2025 as the most likely year it will go direct-to-consumer. It is still possible it could move up the date to end of this year.

When it does, it plans on offering all its programming without a cable subscription. A subscriber could choose to pay for the service directly through ESPN’s app or would still be able to opt for the ESPN channels through a cable or satellite provider.

ESPN currently offers ESPN+ as a separate add-on service, but it has more specialty programming, including one exclusive NFL game.

As it turns to direct-to-consumer, ESPN ideally wants a league partner and one of the top digital players, such as, but not limited to Apple, Amazon or Verizon, so it can leverage its content with the best distribution channels. In June, CNBC reported that ESPN held talks with the NFL, NBA and MLB.

ESPN currently pays the NFL around $2.6 billion per year for rights that include 25 games, highlighted by its weekly Monday Night prime time schedule.

I get the vision here but having content, journalism, and sports betting housed under the same entity partially owned by the NFL seems like a big issue.

It's not like they (espn) don't already tiptoe around issues.

This could kick ass for NFL Films.

Not sure about the news portions.

The NFL already has an anti-trust exception in place from Congress. I know they do it sometimes but I don’t think of journalism and ESPN.

Why does the NFL need ANOTHER NFL network? Unless, monopoly is the game, in which case it's probably long term detrimental whether it trips legal standards or not. In real world terms, it damn well is a monopoly play.

ESPN has been kissing the NFLs ass since they got NFL games. They use to run interesting pieces about issues Outside the lines etc ..they don't do it now.

Bad Idea!!!

You sure it's the NFL? MLB has an anti-trust exemption but the USFL sued the NFL in the mid 80s for anti-trust violations. It went to trial and the USFL 'won' but the damages were $1. I don't do anti-trust but if they had the exemption, wouldn't they have been able to dismiss that case?

They'll put a chick in it and make it lame.

I think they gained the exemptions after that.

Probably a Tranny.

Sweet Jesus.

That feels like legit beginning of the end stuff.

It's when the ominous tones start and they go to commercial in VH1s Behind the Music documentaries.

It's already started bruh. Those Thursday night games are bullshit along with the officiating that's been so poor this year it's influenced games. NFL as a whole is begining to become pretty watered down

Roger Goodell doing everything he can to create an environment where the league can determine who wins any given game and to control the spread, and now he wants to make sure that no one at ESPN can criticize officials and the bad calls they use to get the outcome they desire.

Goodell is hell bent on ruining the NFL for more money. His insitince on playing regular season games in foreign countries, and soon there will be an 18 game season, only 2 preseason games, and games on every day of the week.