Blockbuster $2 billion NFL TV deal could change the future of how fans view football games
The on-and-off talks between the NFL and ESPN are once again back on. According to reports, ESPN now knows how much it would cost to acquire the beloved NFL Network, a whopping $2 billion. The entire NFL network is in line for a shake-upGetty Reports surrounding ESPN’s takeover of the NFL have existed since last year with the broadcaster looking to acquire several assets of the network. Since then negotiations have cooled off but according to multiple reports, talks between the two parties have now resumed. Also, as part of the potential agreement, the NFL could take an equity stake in ESPN. John Ourand of Puck reports ESPN’s planned direct-to-consumer product may have been instrumental in the resumption of talks. Currently, ESPN is still set to launch a standalone streaming service, which they expect to release later this year. The streaming service will include ESPN’s linear television channels as well as content available on their SVOD ESPN+. By taking over the NFL Network, which was launched in 2003, ESPN would have additional live games and popular studio programs like Good Morning Football and The Insiders. These additions would be helpful in upscaling ESPN content on their streaming service. It would also help ESPN maintain their rights to the popular coverage of the NFL Draft every spring. Right now both ESPN/ABC and NFL Network separately cover the draft. ESPN could strike a deal with NFL Media in the coming weeksGetty ESPN has been televising NFL games since 1987 and their live coverage has continued ever since. In 2023, Disney and the NFL renewed their agreement at a stunning $2.7 billion a year, the largest out of any other NFL media partner. That deal expires in 2033 and as part of the agreement, the NFL can exercise an opt-out clause with every other broadcaster except for Disney. In 2024, ESPN/ABC broadcasted 25 NFL games including 21 on the Monday night slot and two playoff games. ESPN and ABC will be the broadcasters for the Super Bowl in 2027 and 2031, the last time ABC televised the Super Bowl was in 2006. The popular NFL Redzone, which ESPN wants to take over, was launched in 2009 as an add-on network. NFL's Greatest...... Ranking the top 10...... Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady? Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top? Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barrie Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmett Smith and more Tight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare? The popular program provides live whip-around updates of games around the league on Sunday afternoons. The show has become popular with the emergence of sports betting and the popularity of fantasy football. This explains another reason why ESPN want the network, as ESPN BET was launched in 2023. Unlike other broadcasters, ESPN is strictly a sports content company and there is nothing bigger in sports than the NFL. In his Merchand Sports Media podcast, Andrew Merchand noted, “When you look at Netflix and Amazon, they don’t necessarily need the NFL. “Those businesses aren’t based on the NFL. So, if you’re ESPN, you get that relationship even deeper for the long-term with the NFL. I think it makes some sense, and it could be a game-changer.” Stay up to date with the latest from across the NFL via our talkSPORT Facebook page, and subscribe to our Endzone YouTube channel for news, view and exclusive interviews as we build up to the NFL Draft in April
The on-and-off talks between the NFL and ESPN are once again back on.
According to reports, ESPN now knows how much it would cost to acquire the beloved NFL Network, a whopping $2 billion.
Reports surrounding ESPN’s takeover of the NFL have existed since last year with the broadcaster looking to acquire several assets of the network.
Since then negotiations have cooled off but according to multiple reports, talks between the two parties have now resumed.
Also, as part of the potential agreement, the NFL could take an equity stake in ESPN.
John Ourand of Puck reports ESPN’s planned direct-to-consumer product may have been instrumental in the resumption of talks.
Currently, ESPN is still set to launch a standalone streaming service, which they expect to release later this year.
The streaming service will include ESPN’s linear television channels as well as content available on their SVOD ESPN+.
By taking over the NFL Network, which was launched in 2003, ESPN would have additional live games and popular studio programs like Good Morning Football and The Insiders.
These additions would be helpful in upscaling ESPN content on their streaming service.
It would also help ESPN maintain their rights to the popular coverage of the NFL Draft every spring.
Right now both ESPN/ABC and NFL Network separately cover the draft.
ESPN has been televising NFL games since 1987 and their live coverage has continued ever since.
In 2023, Disney and the NFL renewed their agreement at a stunning $2.7 billion a year, the largest out of any other NFL media partner.
That deal expires in 2033 and as part of the agreement, the NFL can exercise an opt-out clause with every other broadcaster except for Disney.
In 2024, ESPN/ABC broadcasted 25 NFL games including 21 on the Monday night slot and two playoff games.
ESPN and ABC will be the broadcasters for the Super Bowl in 2027 and 2031, the last time ABC televised the Super Bowl was in 2006.
The popular NFL Redzone, which ESPN wants to take over, was launched in 2009 as an add-on network.
NFL's Greatest......
Ranking the top 10......
Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?
Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?
Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barrie Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmett Smith and more
Tight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?
The popular program provides live whip-around updates of games around the league on Sunday afternoons.
The show has become popular with the emergence of sports betting and the popularity of fantasy football.
This explains another reason why ESPN want the network, as ESPN BET was launched in 2023.
Unlike other broadcasters, ESPN is strictly a sports content company and there is nothing bigger in sports than the NFL.
In his Merchand Sports Media podcast, Andrew Merchand noted, “When you look at Netflix and Amazon, they don’t necessarily need the NFL.
“Those businesses aren’t based on the NFL. So, if you’re ESPN, you get that relationship even deeper for the long-term with the NFL. I think it makes some sense, and it could be a game-changer.”
Stay up to date with the latest from across the NFL via our talkSPORT Facebook page, and subscribe to our Endzone YouTube channel for news, view and exclusive interviews as we build up to the NFL Draft in April
