ESPN, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Firm, introduced on Tuesday that it’ll formally purchase the Nationwide Soccer League (NFL) Community in a landmark settlement.
The deal — which supplies the NFL a ten% fairness stake in ESPN — contains the NFL’s linear RedZone Channel and NFL Fantasy.
The settlement between the sports activities media big and the NFL goals to “set a brand new normal for the way skilled soccer is delivered, skilled and celebrated by followers,” the businesses stated in a press launch concerning the deal.
A element of the NFL Community emblem on a shirt throughout the Large 12 NFL Professional Day at Ford Heart at The Star on March 19, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. (Photograph by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Photographs)
Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Photographs
“At the moment’s announcement paves the way in which for the world’s main sports activities media model and America’s hottest sport to ship an much more compelling expertise for NFL followers, in a approach that solely ESPN and Disney can,” stated Robert A. Iger, chief govt officer of The Walt Disney Firm.
“Commissioner Goodell and the NFL have constructed excellent media belongings, and these transactions will add to shopper selection, present viewers with even better comfort and high quality, and develop the breadth and worth proposition of Disney’s streaming ecosystem,” Iger added.
The settlement coincides with ESPN’s forthcoming direct-to-consumer service, in response to the discharge, which is able to now embrace NFL content material. NFL programming can even stay on cable, satellite tv for pc and main streaming suppliers, the businesses stated.
In whole, ESPN’s platforms will license a further three NFL video games per season to air on NFL Community because of the settlement, in response to the businesses.
An in depth view of an ESPN television digicam throughout the sport between the Boston Crimson Sox and Philadelphia Phillies at Residents Financial institution Park on July 23, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Crimson Sox defeated the Phillies 9-8 in additional innings. (Photograph by Mitchell Leff/Getty Photographs)
Mitchell Leff/Getty Photographs
NFL Fantasy Soccer can even merge with ESPN Fantasy Soccer, creating the official Fantasy season-long sport of the NFL.
“Since its launch in 2003, NFL Community has offered tens of millions of followers unprecedented entry to the game they love,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated within the launch. “Whether or not it was debuting Thursday Evening Soccer, televising the Mix, or telling unbelievable soccer tales via authentic exhibits and breaking information, NFL Community has delivered. The Community’s sale to ESPN will construct on this exceptional legacy, offering extra NFL soccer for extra followers in new and revolutionary methods.”
The agreements are non-binding and the transactions are topic to the events’ negotiation and numerous approvals, together with by the NFL crew homeowners, in response to the discharge.
“That is an thrilling day for sports activities followers,” stated Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN. “By combining these NFL media belongings with ESPN’s attain and innovation, we’re making a premier vacation spot for soccer followers.”
Editor’s notice: this story has been up to date.
The Walt Disney Firm is the guardian firm of ESPN and ABC Information.
