Sports giant NFL acquires a 10% ownership in ESPN under the terms of a deal that includes the acquisition of NFL Network, RedZone, and other media assets
NFL Announces Deal with ESPN for NFL Network, RedZone, and More
The National Football League (NFL) has announced a significant deal with ESPN, which will see the sports media giant acquire the NFL Network, the linear rights to the RedZone channel, and NFL Fantasy. In exchange, ESPN will provide a 10% equity stake in the company.
Under the terms of the non-binding agreement, the NFL will also license additional content and game rights to ESPN. This deal, announced in early August 2025, is subject to approval from NFL team owners and federal regulators.
The acquisition will see ESPN operate the NFL Network, integrating it into its upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming service. The popular RedZone channel will be distributed by ESPN to pay TV operators, while the NFL will continue to own, operate, and produce NFL RedZone, as well as distribute the channel digitally.
The NFL Network will continue to air seven games per season, and ESPN will license an additional three games per season to air on the network. This means that ESPN's platforms will now air a total of 28 games, providing football fans with more options than ever before.
Scott Hanson, the longtime RedZone host, will remain in his role, and NFL programming will be available on more platforms than ever before, including ESPN's direct-to-consumer service, cable, satellite, and streaming providers.
The deal allows the NFL to exit the cable TV business, but the NFL FAST channel will remain under the NFL's control. The league will also hold onto other platforms such as NFL+, the league's official website, and all 32 teams' official websites.
The NFL's deal with ESPN does not disclose the financial terms, and until the approvals occur and the deal closes, no changes to NFL Network, RedZone, or ESPN’s NFL programming will be seen for the 2025 NFL season.
In summary, the NFL has agreed to sell NFL Network to ESPN, and ESPN will acquire other media assets including RedZone and NFL Fantasy. The deal involves a 10% equity stake in ESPN, and the NFL will retain certain media businesses, including NFL Films. The move is expected to provide fans with more ways to access NFL programming than ever before.
- With ESPN acquiring NFL Network, NFL fans can now bet on more American-football games, as the popular RedZone channel will be distributed to pay TV operators, offering non-stop coverage of all the NFL action on a single channel.
- NFL and NHL enthusiasts can look forward to more sports game broadcasts on ESPN, as the deal includes the NFL licensing additional content and game rights to ESPN, potentially expanding the sports content lineup on ESPN's platforms.
- Scott Hanson, long-time host of RedZone, will continue in his role, ensuring top-notch coverage of the NFL and guaranteeing an enjoyable viewing experience for football fans across various platforms.
- NFL fans will now have multiple opportunities to win big with their picks, as the NFL Network will air 10 games per season, and ESPN will also license an additional 3 games per season to air on the network, totaling 28 games for fans to enjoy.
- As the NFL's deal with ESPN comes to fruition and the 2025 NFL season approaches, football fans will have more ways than ever before to access their favorite NFL programming, whether it be through ESPN's direct-to-consumer service, cable, satellite, or streaming providers.
