Total Pro Sports
The Worldwide Leader in Sports is reportedly close to adding NFL Media to its broadcasting empire.
Like most other major sports networks, NFL Media has recently cut several marquee talents. Last year, they let go of Andrew Siciliano, Melissa Stark, James Palmer and Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin. The popular “Total Access” program on NFL Network was also canceled after 21 years on air.
Fortunately for football fans who watch NFL Network and read NFL.com content regularly, ESPN is reportedly here to save the day.
On the latest episode of his “Marchand Sports Media” podcast, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported that ESPN is close to purchasing NFL Media. The agreement would give ESPN the rights to NFL Network, NFL RedZone and NFL+.
Marchand added that NFL owners “want” this agreement to be completed:
There is optimism on both sides. Nothing is completed as of yet. If you’re ESPN, you want to do that deal because you have your direct-to-consumer. Fantasy is a big aspect of it. They could be the official home of fantasy football, which you can put that NFL logo on everything, and that helps you.
“NFL Network gives you some content even though they cut a million shows, but they still have good people like Ian Rapoport. Good Morning Football is not what it was, but you still have that show. And then eight games is a big deal. The NFL owners, they want to do this. They’ve been trying to unload NFL Media for a while it feels like a good thing for ESPN to have that further relationship with the NFL going forward.”
NFL Network exclusively airs a handful of games each season. This year, they’ll carry six games in the NFL International Series and a Week 17 game (opponents to be announced late in the season).
The first game airing on NFL Network will be the Minnesota Vikings-Pittsburgh Steelers Week 4 contest in Dublin. Along with three London games, they’ll air the Atlanta Falcons-Indianapolis Colts Berlin contest and the Washington Commanders-Miami Dolphins game in Madrid, Spain.
ESPN’s broadcast deal with Major League Baseball is about to be scrapped, but the network is still set up nicely long-term with its other broadcast agreements. Their decision to regain NHL rights in 2021-22 has been a giant boon in an era where the game of hockey is more popular than ever in the United States.
The Worldwide Leader in Sports also has long-term deals locked in with the NBA and NFL. With NFL Media seemingly on the way, ESPN’s ability to expand the game to an international audience is limitless.
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