ESPN considering eye-watering deal to buy up NFL assets

ESPN have reignited talks to buy up a number of high-profile media assets from the NFL at a time when the sports channel is looking to launch its own streaming service.

Last year it was announced that ESPN was looking to acquire the NFL Network and RedZone, along with select other NFL properties. Negotiations were then put on hold but talks appear to have resumed with a huge price tag being considered for the rights.

Sports business expert Andrew Marchand reports that a deal to buy NFL Network, Red Zone and NFL+ would likely cost ESPN around $2 billion. The NFL may also demand an equity stake in ESPN as part of the deal. Marchand revealed the figures on his Marchand Sports Media podcast earlier this week and cited this as a potentially key moment in the sports media landscape

“When we look back in 10, 15 years if this deal goes down, this could be a very significant point for ESPN’s growth when you’re adding it all up, and we’re really in a full streaming world,” Marchand explained. “I think it’s pretty significant whether it happens in the next few months or not.”

As ESPN builds out its dedicated direct-to-customer streaming platform it needs to build out its content library and live game schedule to justify the investment. The proposed deal would give ESPN rights to the popular RedZone coverage and the eight games that are broadcast on the NFL Network every season. That would further strengthen the grip that ESPN has on the sport and would allow them to tempt more subscribers over to the new platform.

Aside from the live action on show, ESPN’s scheduling department would also be able to use existing shows like ‘The Insiders’ and ‘Good Morning Football’ alongside any new shows that they are planning to introduce.

The most recent deal signed between ESPN and the NFL was agreed in 2023 with a $2.7 billion annual cost, considerably more than any other NFL partner. That deal runs until 2033 but this proposed acquisition would allow the network to increase their stake in the league now and stock up on content, readying themselves for the introduction of the new streaming service.

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