Sports broadcaster ESPN has reached a non-binding agreement with the National Football League to acquire both NFL Network and other media assets in exchange for a 10 percent stake in the Walt Disney Company subsidiary.

In addition to the sale of NFL Network, RedZone channel and NFL Fantasy, the two parties are also entering into a second non-binding agreement, under which the NFL will license certain content and intellectual property to be used by NFL Network and other assets while under the auspices of ESPN.

“Today’s announcement paves the way for the world’s leading sports media brand and America’s most popular sport to deliver an even more compelling experience for NFL fans, in a way that only ESPN and Disney can,” Robert A. Iger, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, claimed. “Commissioner Goodell and the NFL have built outstanding media assets, and these transactions will add to consumer choice, provide viewers with even greater convenience and quality, and expand the breadth and value proposition of Disney’s streaming ecosystem.”

Under the terms of these agreements, NFL Network — including both linear and digital rights — would be owned and operated by ESPN and fully integrated into ESPN DTC, alongside traditional pay television distribution, increasing accessibility and flexibility for consumers and promoting innovation in sports programming. ESPN would own broad rights to the RedZone brand and distribute the NFL RedZone channel to pay TV operators for continued inclusion into their sports packages. ESPN’s platforms will also license an additional three NFL games per season to air on NFL Network as a result of today’s news, adjusting its overall NFL game schedule, with four games (including some from overlapping windows) shifting to NFL Network, which will continue to present seven games per season.

“Since its launch in 2003, NFL Network has provided millions of fans unprecedented access to the sport they love,” Goodell added. “Whether it was debuting Thursday Night Football, televising the Combine or telling incredible football stories through original shows and breaking news, NFL Network has delivered. The sale to ESPN will build on this remarkable legacy, providing more NFL football for more fans in new and innovative ways.”

The new relationship brings together some of the NFL’s premier media brands and fan-engagement platforms with ESPN’s deep experience in producing and distributing high-quality and innovative sports programming. ESPN intends to deploy its resources and expertise to expand audience reach, increase accessibility and flexibility for consumers, drive innovation, and offer even more high-quality content to fans at highly competitive prices. As a result of this sale, NFL programming will be available on more platforms than ever before, including ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer (DTC) service, while remaining on cable, satellite and leading streaming providers.

As well as the television coverage assets, NFL Fantasy Football will merge with ESPN Fantasy Football, creating the official season-long game of the NFL.

“This is an exciting day for sports fans,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro noted. “By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN’s reach and innovation, we’re creating a premier destination for football fans. Together, ESPN and the NFL are redefining how fans engage with the game — anytime, anywhere. This deal helps fuel ESPN’s digital future, laying the foundation for an even more robust offering as we prepare to launch our new direct-to-consumer service.”

The NFL will continue to own and operate its retained media businesses, including properties such as NFL Films and key fan-facing platforms such as 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.

A subsequent announcement from the NFL, following less than 24 hours after news of the sale of NFL Network to ESPN first broke, confirmed that the two parties had reached new licensing agreements that extend ESPN’s NFL Draft rights and, separately, add NFL programming and content to the broadcaster’s upcoming DTC service, as well as to Disney+. The agreement also includes the opportunity for fans to bundle ESPN’s DTC service with NFL+ Premium.

The multi-year NFL Draft licensing agreement builds upon ESPN’s rich history surrounding the event over the past 46 years. The broadcaster was the first to televise the selection process, back in 1980, and, beginning with the 2026 NFL Draft, its coverage will also be available on Disney+ and Hulu, as well as the DTC service. Alternate NFL Draft presentations from ESPN will be available on the same streaming platforms, as will a new daily show dedicated to what has become one of the biggest tentpole events on the NFL calendar. The new show, which will air on ESPN2 most days, will launch the day following the Super Bowl and continue through that year’s Draft.

ESPN and ABC will each produce telecasts for Rounds 1-3 on Thursday and Friday, something which has been a staple of ESPN’s coverage since 2019. On Saturday, ESPN will continue to air Rounds 4-7, with ABC simulcasting the network’s coverage, and can add alternate telecasts across streaming platforms for Rounds 1-7. Premier football shows, College GameDay and NFL Live, will continue to be on-site from the NFL Draft, and ESPN Radio will continue its live broadcast of the event.

Separately, ESPN and the NFL have reached an agreement to expand the NFL experience across ESPN’s DTC service and Disney+. The agreement includes rights for additional NFL content for ESPN as well as robust interactive features to deepen the experience for fans. ESPN’s DTC offering will also stream select out-of-market NFL preseason games during the 2025 and 2026 seasons. ESPN will also be able to sell and bundle NFL+ Premium, the league’s own DTC service that launched in 2022, with ESPN’s DTC service, giving fans the ability to watch NFL Network and NFL RedZone through the NFL+ Premium offering.

Additional rights and features that ESPN will offer include highlights for ESPN’s new, personalised SportsCenter For You and the industry-leading ESPN Fantasy Football platform. Fans can utilise the new ESPN App multiview feature while watching ESPN’s NFL games and shows through the ESPN app, such as the traditional Monday Night Football telecast and MNF with Peyton and Eli at the same time, or multiple games when MNF has two games on the same night. Deeper customisation with enhanced interactive features will include the ability to view personalised ESPN Fantasy Football team performance, legalised sports betting information and bet tracking, and integrated games stats on their connected television or mobile device. Exclusive to ESPN DTC subscribers, a video-on-demand Monday Night Football recap will also be available.

The transactions remain subject to the parties’ negotiation of definitive agreements, various approvals including by the NFL team owners and customary closing conditions.