ESPN Secures NFL Assets in New Media Rights Deal

• ESPN acquires control over NFL Network and other assets.
• NFL receives 10% of ESPN's shares in exchange for media rights.
• A new ESPN service for live streaming is set to launch by the end of September.

On September 5, 2025, ESPN and the National Football League (NFL) announced the signing of a landmark deal, under which ESPN will acquire NFL assets, including NFL Network, NFL Fantasy, and rights to broadcast the RedZone channel. In total, NFL will receive 10% of ESPN's shares.

This deal, which is not yet official, stipulates that ESPN will gain control over NFL Network, as well as licenses for additional NFL games. ESPN will also be able to integrate its Fantasy Football platform with NFL Fantasy, creating an official gaming format for enthusiasts.

The deal allows ESPN to expand its offerings as part of the new live streaming service, which is expected to launch by the end of September 2025. This service will provide access to all ESPN programs under a subscription of $29.99 per month.

NFL Network will continue to broadcast seven games per season, some of which were previously aired on ESPN, but will now be shown on NFL Network. The NFL retains ownership of assets such as NFL Films and NFL.com.

This deal must go through additional negotiations and NFL approval, as well as regulatory bodies. It is noteworthy that ESPN and the NFL already have three ongoing relationships, since ESPN is the home for "Monday Night Football" and broadcasts 25 NFL games each year.

This agreement could be a significant step in the development of ESPN and expanding its audience, providing new opportunities for NFL fans.

Tags: Sport/American football