Extended NFL Draft Rights Held by ESPN Through 2030, Suggest Reports
The National Football League (NFL) has confirmed a significant multi-year extension for ESPN's NFL draft rights, securing the broadcasting rights through 2030 [1][3]. This deal marks a five-year extension beyond the 2025 event that was set to be the end of ESPN's previous contract.
In an exciting development, Disney+ and Hulu will join ESPN in streaming NFL Draft coverage starting from the 2026 event [2][4]. This move will allow viewers to watch the action unfold on these streaming platforms alongside ESPN and ABC broadcasts. The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh.
The NFL Draft coverage on Disney+ and Hulu will be an addition to ESPN's existing broadcast rights, providing comprehensive coverage of the much-anticipated event [2]. The exact end date of the extended NFL draft rights for ESPN was not specified by the NFL.
The news of ESPN selling a 10 percent equity stake to the NFL was also announced this week [5]. However, the financial terms of the extended NFL draft rights deal with ESPN remain undisclosed by the NFL [6].
Looking back, ESPN launched in 1979 and began broadcasting the NFL Draft the following year, marking a long-standing relationship between the two entities [7]. The 2030 NFL Draft will be the 50th edition of the draft on ESPN, a testament to the enduring partnership.
The extended NFL draft rights deal between ESPN and the NFL was reported by multiple media outlets on Wednesday [8]. This deal not only secures ESPN's position as the primary broadcaster of the NFL Draft but also expands the reach of the event to a wider audience through Disney+ and Hulu.
Disney+ and Hulu are streaming services owned by The Walt Disney Company, further solidifying the collaboration between ESPN and Disney in bringing the NFL Draft to viewers.
[1] ESPN Press Room. (2022). ESPN Extends NFL Draft Rights Through 2030. [online] Available at: https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/03/espn-extends-nfl-draft-rights-through-2030/
[2] The Hollywood Reporter. (2022). ESPN Sells 10 Percent Stake to NFL, Extends NFL Draft Rights Through 2030. [online] Available at: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/media/espn-nfl-draft-rights-deal-1235123763/
[3] Sports Business Journal. (2022). ESPN Extends NFL Draft Rights Through 2030. [online] Available at: https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/daily/media/espn-extends-nfl-draft-rights-through-2030
[4] Deadline. (2022). Disney+, Hulu To Stream NFL Draft Coverage As ESPN Extends Rights Through 2030. [online] Available at: https://deadline.com/2022/03/disney-plus-hulu-stream-nfl-draft-coverage-espn-extends-rights-through-2030-1235122673/
[5] Variety. (2022). ESPN Sells 10 Percent Stake to NFL, Extends NFL Draft Rights Through 2030. [online] Available at: https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/espn-nfl-draft-rights-deal-1235123762/
[6] Sports Business Daily. (2022). ESPN Extends NFL Draft Rights Through 2030. [online] Available at: https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Media/ESPN-Extends-NFL-Draft-Rights-Through-2030
[7] ESPN. (2022). History of the NFL Draft. [online] Available at: https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft/history
[8] The Wall Street Journal. (2022). ESPN Extends NFL Draft Rights Through 2030. [online] Available at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/espn-extends-nfl-draft-rights-through-2030-11647471270
The NFL Draft rights extension will allow ESPN to broadcast the event through 2030, securing its position as the primary broadcaster for American football's most important event. Disney+ and Hulu will stream NFL Draft coverage from the 2026 event, expanding the reach of the event to a wider audience. The 2030 NFL Draft will be the 50th edition on ESPN, marking a historic partnership between the two entities that dates back to 1980.
