ESPN Makes News with NFL deal along with new streaming app coning soon
The ESPN purchase of NFL Network and several major NFL digital properties has officially closed after receiving approval from U.S. and international government regulators. The league and ESPN announced the completion of the deal Saturday night following reviews by the Justice Department and other antitrust authorities .
Under the agreement, ESPN acquires NFL Network, NFL Fantasy, and the rights to distribute the NFL RedZone channel to cable and satellite operators. In return, the NFL receives a 10% equity stake in ESPN, deepening the partnership between the league and one of its most important media partners .
Integration Begins as Fans Await Expanded Coverage
“With the closing, we will begin integrating NFL employees into ESPN in the months ahead,” the two sides said in a joint statement. They added that fans can expect expanded NFL programming, broader access to NFL Network, enhanced fantasy experiences, and strengthened coverage of the league’s most popular content .
Viewers are not expected to see noticeable changes on NFL Network until April, when NFL Media employees officially transition into ESPN operations .
NFL Network, which reaches nearly 50 million subscribers, will be folded into ESPN’s direct‑to‑consumer streaming product. That service launched last August, shortly after the deal was first announced, and will now serve as a central hub for the league’s cable and streaming distribution through ESPN’s infrastructure .
The NFL RedZone channel will also be distributed by ESPN to cable and satellite providers. However, the league will continue to own, operate, and produce RedZone while retaining digital distribution rights. ESPN will gain rights to the RedZone brand, opening the door for potential RedZone‑style channels for college football, basketball, or other sports in the future .
Fantasy Football Platforms to Merge
NFL Fantasy Football will merge with ESPN Fantasy Football, creating a unified platform that becomes the league’s official fantasy game. This consolidation positions ESPN as the dominant fantasy provider heading into future seasons .
Game Distribution and International Rights Shift
NFL Network will continue to air seven games per season. Four ESPN games — including some overlapping Monday night windows — will shift to NFL Network, while ESPN will license three additional games to the channel. The NFL has also reclaimed rights to four international games, which are expected to be put up for bid as the league explores expanded global scheduling, including the possibility of each team playing at least one international game if the regular season expands to 18 games .
What the NFL Still Controls
Despite the sale, the NFL will continue to own and operate several major media properties, including NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, all 32 team websites, the NFL Podcast Network, and the NFL FAST Channel, a free ad‑supported streaming service .
Ownership Breakdown After the Deal
Following the transaction, ESPN is now owned 72% by ABC Inc. (a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company), 18% by Hearst, and 10% by the NFL marking the league’s first equity stake in a major sports media company
