The National Football League (NFL) and ESPN have reached a blockbuster agreement worth billions of dollars. The deal is expected to place many of the league’s top media holdings with the sports network in exchange for equity in ESPN.
ESPN will gain access to RedZone, seven more regular-season games, the NFL’s fantasy football business, and the potential to integrate special features, including betting. The agreement coincides with ESPN’s forthcoming direct-to-consumer service that will formally launch in the next few weeks.
The new app, called “ESPN,” will allow subscribers to bypass cable or satellite providers to watch all ESPN programming through the network’s app. Viewers who already have access to ESPN’s networks through cable, satellite, or bundled streaming TV services will also be able to watch ESPN through the new app.
As part of the deal, the NFL may receive up to 10% of ESPN equity, with potential for a term length that has not been disclosed yet. The agreement is expected to require regulatory approval, which could take nine months to a year.
For the NFL, the deal will divest the league from its TV production business and allow it to focus on mining its core intellectual property (IP). The NFL will acquire a significant stake in ESPN’s business, which will increase the value of the network for Disney/ESPN.
RedZone is crucial to the deal, as it will be made available through the new app. However, the pricing of RedZone has not been announced yet.
The agreement marks a significant shift in the relationship between the NFL and ESPN, with the league having long considered its top partner. The deal comes at a time when cable-cutting and cord-shaving have hit the sports industry hard, with many consumers opting for direct-to-consumer services like ESPN+.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6530655/2025/08/01/nfl-espn-media-deal-tv-broadcast