Total Pro Sports
The Worldwide Leader in Sports is reportedly on the verge of adding more marquee NFL programs to its lineup, including NFL RedZone.
According to a report from Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, ESPN is close to finalizing a deal with the NFL to purchase NFL Media. If completed, ESPN would acquire the rights to NFL RedZone and NFL Network, per Marchand:
“Now, according to sources briefed on negotiations, ESPN and the NFL are inside the 5-yard line on another ground-breaking deal for ESPN to acquire NFL Media, the arm of the league that focuses on content and runs the NFL Network…
The exact amount of money or equity that Disney/ESPN would pay is not yet known, but it will be enormous. There is expected to be a regulatory period that will need approval before everything goes into effect. The process may take nine months, give or take.
What could be in the deal is the Red Zone Channel, NFL Network, seven regular-season games that appear on NFL Network, enhanced betting and fantasy league possibilities. There may be more.”
Multiple reports claim that NFL Media is worth around $2 billion. Given the significance of the NFL Network’s content, ESPN will presumably pay at least that much, though possibly more.
The future of NFL RedZone was briefly murky, as longtime host Scott Hanson entered the new year without a contract. But the popular host announced that he was indeed coming back for the 2025 season, much to the excitement of his giant fanbase.
Hanson has hosted the beloved program since its launch in 2009. Aside from its non-stop coverage of live NFL games for seven hours, the program has become legendary thanks to its commercial-free operations.
With ESPN about to bring in NFL Media (including NFL RedZone and the NFL Network), another significant addition is on the way for the Worldwide Leader in Sports.
The network regained NHL broadcasting rights in the 2021-22 season after an 18-year hiatus and recently renewed its TV deals with the NFL and NBA. The NFL remains America’s most popular professional sport, though, so adding more marquee football content to the lineup is a home run for ESPN.
Two years ago, ESPN pulled off another coup by signing away beloved sports media personality Pat McAfee, who had been under contract with FanDuel. With RedZone and NFL Network to follow, things just keep getting better for ESPN.
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