ESPN is reportedly close to purchasing NFL Media. What does this groundbreaking deal mean for the future of NFL Network?
ESPN Nearing Deal To Purchase NFL Media
NEWS COLUMN: ESPN & the NFL closing in on 'Next Era' defining media dealhttps://t.co/9G6CutBT6h
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) July 23, 2025
ESPN has been rumored as a buyer for NFL Media for over four years. There hasn’t been any significant traction on a potential deal for a long time. That all changes now.
Per The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, ESPN and the NFL are nearing a deal for the Worldwide Leader in Sports to acquire NFL Media, which runs the NFL Network and the RedZone. To put it into football terms, Marchand says ESPN and the NFL are “inside the 5-yard line” on the deal.
ESPN and the NFL provided no comment to Marchand. A deal has not been signed, nor have the specifics been finalized, including the price of the acquisition. According to Marchand, Disney will have to pay an “enormous” amount of money for NFL Media.
If a deal comes to fruition, it must go through a regulatory period — about nine months — that needs approval. Per SBJ, NFL owners received an “informal heads up” that there may be a special league meeting in August about a potential deal between Disney and the NFL.
The NFL has been trying to sell its media assets for several years. NFL Media has experienced significant layoffs in the past to cut costs.
Judging by some of ESPN’s recent talent moves, Disney has been preparing for a potential deal. Longtime NFL Network host Rich Eisen will take his radio show from Roku to ESPN Radio, ESPN+, Disney+, and ESPN’s direct-to-consumer streaming service this fall.
Earlier this offseason, NFL Network host Peter Schrager left the NFL Network and Fox for ESPN. NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky recently signed a contract extension with ESPN to remain part of the network’s football coverage.
What Does This Mean For NFL Network?
ESPN and the NFL are close to a deal that would make programming available in ESPN's direct-to-consumer product this fall, sources tell @AndrewMarchand.
The "Next Era” ESPN app could include the Red Zone Channel, NFL Network and more for $29.99 per month.
Details ⤵️… pic.twitter.com/D5rvivhv5s
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 23, 2025
Football is the king of sports media. Nearly every major network and streaming service has broadcast rights for NFL games. The overwhelming majority of the country’s most-watched programs are NFL games.
It’s why Disney paid billions for Monday Night Football and the rights to broadcast the Super Bowl, the first coming in 2027.
If ESPN purchases NFL Media, they would want the NFL Network, Red Zone, and the live broadcast rights to seven games.
Why would ESPN want to buy NFL Media? This fall, ESPN launches its direct-to-consumer product — “The Next Era” — for $29.99 per month. If the NFL Media deal goes through, the Next Era could include ESPN, NFL Network, Red Zone, and more ESPN properties.
