ESPN Closes NFL Network Acquisition

ESPN has officially closed its deal to acquire the NFL Network and other media assets from the league in exchange for a 10% stake in the sports network.

The NFL network will be integrated into ESPN’s direct-to-consumer streaming service at the start of the next regular season in the fall. NFL employees will officially become a part of ESPN in April, meaning viewers will not notice anything different until then, at the earliest.

“As we look to the future, NFL fans can look forward to expanded NFL programming, greater access to NFL Network, innovative fantasy experiences and unparalleled coverage of America’s most popular sport,” the NFL and ESPN said in joint statement.

In addition to the NFL Network, ESPN will take control of the linear RedZone Channel and NFL Fantasy. Meanwhile, the league will continue to own and operate NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, the NFL Podcast Network, the NFL FAST channel and the official sites for the league’s 32 clubs. It will also continue to own, operate, and produce NFL RedZone and retain the rights to distribute NFL RedZone digitally.

The parties also separately agreed to license the league’s content and IP to the NFL Network and other assets, giving ESPN access to a steady flow of games. Prior to the deal closing, Disney owned 80% of ESPN, while Hearst owned the remaining 20%.

The Athletic first reported that the deal was approved by government regulators. The deal was first announced back in August, with the NFL’s owners approving the deal in October.

More to come…

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