LONDON — In a monumental week for sports broadcasting, ESPN has made several significant deals that will reshape its relationship with the National Football League. The network is acquiring the NFL Network, substantial rights to RedZone, and has reached agreements with the WWE and Disney.
The first major deal involves ESPN taking over the NFL Network from the league, gaining control of the network’s content assets. In exchange for this acquisition, the NFL will receive a 10% ownership stake in ESPN. This partnership is seen as a significant milestone for ESPN, particularly under the leadership of Chairman Jimmy Pitaro.
Under the agreement, the NFL Network will report to ESPN president of content Burke Magnus and will maintain its current editorial approach. However, critics have raised concerns about the impact on journalism coverage of the NFL, given ESPN’s history of shutting down programs like “Outside The Lines” and reducing staff over the years.
Despite these concerns, Pitaro has assured that ESPN’s journalistic principles remain unchanged. He stated, “We’ve been very clear with the NFL from day one that nothing is changing in terms of how we cover the league.”
The deal also includes substantial rights to RedZone, a popular service for hardcore NFL fans. ESPN will distribute this service through its direct-to-consumer platform, which launches on August 21.
This launch marks a significant moment for ESPN as it shifts from traditional broadcasting models to digital streaming services. The network has emphasized that the direct-to-consumer experience will be gradual and will include regular updates to enhance features and functionality over time.
In addition to these deals, ESPN has reached agreements with WWE to become the exclusive U.S. domestic home of all WWE Premium Live Events starting in 2026. This partnership is expected to expand ESPN’s audience and attract a younger demographic.
The government regulatory approval process remains a wild card for this deal, but ESPN appears confident that it will receive necessary approvals. Chairman Pitaro has expressed optimism about the impact of these deals on his company’s future success.
Overall, ESPN’s major deals with the NFL, WWE, and Disney signal a significant shift in its business strategy as it shifts towards digital streaming services and expands its audience reach.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6538956/2025/08/07/espn-nfl-wwe-jimmy-pitaro-app