ESPN & NFL in advanced talks that to give NFL a stake in the network

[soxhop411]

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.

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

https://nypost.com/2024/01/12/sports/espn-nfl-in-advanced-talks-on-agreement-that-could-give-league-equity-in-tv-giant/

There goes any unbiased reporting on the. NFL by ESPN.

also wonder what this means for MLB/NHL and other non “football” coverage

 

[soxhop411]

Wait. I forgot the most important question.
ESPN owns a sports book. Does that mean the NFL will now have a stake in said company?

if yes. That raises even more questions about the integrity of the league

 

[BaseballJones]

Wait. I forgot the most important question.
ESPN owns a sports book. Does that mean the NFL will now have a stake in said company?

if yes. That raises even more questions about the integrity of the league

It would make me wonder if Congress would step in. Probably not because sports gambling is now legal.

 

[nattysez]

I don't think there is inherently anything wrong with the league owning a bookmaker as long as the contests are on the up-and-up. In theory, this could encourage the NFL to work even harder to improve the refereeing.

Also, you can be sure that they'll dedicate lots of words to how the ownership of the network doesn't dictate coverage, etc., etc., just like the Globe and the Sox.

 

[the Trotman cometh]

also wonder what this means for MLB/NHL and other non “football” coverage

ESPN could very well opt out their MLB deal after 2025.
https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2023/10/nba-media-rights-update-amazon-espn-mlb-opt-out-2025-austin-rivers-iguodala/

 

[kenneycb]

Wait. I forgot the most important question.
ESPN owns a sports book. Does that mean the NFL will now have a stake in said company?

if yes. That raises even more questions about the integrity of the league

They don’t own or operate the sportsbook, Penn does. They license ESPN’s brand. So in all likelihood the NFL would not.

 

[Ale Xander]

ESPN could very well opt out their MLB deal after 2025.
https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2023/10/nba-media-rights-update-amazon-espn-mlb-opt-out-2025-austin-rivers-iguodala/

No more Sunday night games would kinda be great.

 

[8slim]

https://nypost.com/2024/01/12/sports/espn-nfl-in-advanced-talks-on-agreement-that-could-give-league-equity-in-tv-giant/

There goes any unbiased reporting on the. NFL by ESPN.

also wonder what this means for MLB/NHL and other non “football” coverage

Who cares about espn’s unbiased reporting?

First, every network’s reporting is affected by their rights deal. Playmakers was over 20 years ago, for those that remember the NFL squashing it.

Second, there are thousands of outlets that can report “unbiased” about the NFL. If one network, that everyone here loves to say is awful and irrelevant, ignores bad stories how does that matter?

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

https://nypost.com/2024/01/12/sports/espn-nfl-in-advanced-talks-on-agreement-that-could-give-league-equity-in-tv-giant/

There goes any unbiased reporting on the. NFL by ESPN.

also wonder what this means for MLB/NHL and other non “football” coverage

It's been unbiased to this point?

ESPN has had a vested interest in being, shall we say, kind to the NFL in its reporting for the last 40+ years. I can't imagine the NFL having an ownership stake will change that.

 

[Remagellan]

It's been unbiased to this point?

ESPN has had a vested interest in being, shall we say, kind to the NFL in its reporting for the last 40+ years. I can't imagine the NFL having an ownership stake will change that.

Yes, isn't that what caused Simmons to separate from them? He was suspended for being overly critical of Roger, right?

 

[Freddy Linn]

If you listen to Pagliuca in Davos it sounds like the NBA wants an equity stake too.