Martha Careful
23 days ago
Finalized

ESPN to get NFL Network, rights to RedZone from NFL for equity stake

ESPN is acquiring the NFL Network and other National Football League media assets, including the linear rights to the league's popular RedZone channel, in a deal that will see the NFL get a 10% equity stake in the all-sports network, it was announced Tuesday night.

ESPN will also acquire the NFL's fantasy product and merge it into its existing platform, making ESPN Fantasy Football the official game of the NFL. In a separate deal, the NFL also agreed to license to ESPN other NFL content and intellectual property that will appear on the NFL Network and other assets.

The NFL Network will be owned and operated by ESPN, which will control the network's linear and digital rights. The NFL Network will be integrated into ESPN's upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming product, and it will continue to be available on traditional pay TV providers.

"By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN's reach and innovation, we're creating a premier destination for football fans," ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. "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."

ESPN platforms will also license three additional NFL games per season, giving it a total of 28. NFL Network will continue to show seven games per season, with some games shifting to NFL Network from ESPN's original schedule. Dates and games were not announced. All of the ESPN-owned games will air on linear and ESPN's direct-to-consumer platform.

According to a joint statement, ESPN will own broad rights to RedZone, including the trademark, and continue to distribute the channel to pay TV operators. The NFL will continue to own, operate and produce the RedZone channel and will keep the rights to distribute it digitally.

The league will also continue to own and operate some of its media businesses, including NFL Films and NFL.com.

"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, said in a statement. "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."

"Since its launch in 2003, NFL Network has provided millions of fans unprecedented access to the sport they love," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "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 Network's sale to ESPN will build on this remarkable legacy, providing more NFL football for more fans in new and innovative ways."

In May, ESPN announced its streaming service would launch in early fall with a $29.99 per month price point and will keep the linear network's name -- ESPN.

The direct-to-consumer service, launching on August 21, will allow users to get all seven of ESPN's domestic linear networks in addition to ESPN on ABC and several other streaming options.

ESPN is 80% owned by ABC, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, and 20% by Hearst.

The agreements between ESPN and the NFL are subject to approval from NFL owners and government regulators.


Go Packers!!!!
Zero2Cool
23 days ago

Finalized

Originally Posted by: Martha Careful 



I was reading that its a nonbinding agreement that still has to get final approval from the regulatory bodies and NFL team owners before it's officially done. Team owners won't squabble one bit because they'll only see how it increases their bank account.


The deal will require federal regulatory approval. And there’s no guarantee approval will be secured.


https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/espn-nfl-media-deal-could-be-announced-during-disneys-earnings-call-on-wednesday 
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wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member
23 days ago
I wish I could say that there is something good for the fans but somehow I don't think the "good of the fans" was ever considered in the discussion process. If the fans benefit it was purely serendipitous.
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beast
21 days ago

I wish I could say that there is something good for the fans but somehow I don't think the "good of the fans" was ever considered in the discussion process. If the fans benefit it was purely serendipitous.

Originally Posted by: wpr 


Part of me says it's too early to tell, another part of me says they automatically with have less competition, and less competition (almost) always hurts consumers.

But, hey, IF (and this is a huge if), if the league finally gets a package where any fan (talking about the out of market fans) can 100% guarantee to get all of their teams games, then it could be worth it (for our of market fans).

But it has seemed like the NFL has resisted that option for some reason.
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dfosterf
21 days ago
Earlier I posted a "hope" that ESPN might be an improvement over NFLN. Beast rightfully pointed out the suckage of ESPN, and I do totally get that. Other than when I almost have to due to the semi-addiction we all seem to suffer, I avoid both.
Yesterday morning I deviated from my quasi-boycott of NFLN and caught a brief moment of why I remain aspirational regarding an ESPN takeover.
The subject and lengthy discussion by the four "experts" centered around the difference between how Taylor Swift and Travis handle setbacks and adversity.
That is the kind of crap that is common fare on NFLN, when they are not making up stupid crap what if scenarios, crappy competitions amongst themselves, and other grab ass bs on air. If I wasn't so cheap, I'd pay $25 per week for them to just STFU.
Zero2Cool
21 days ago
ESPN has been less about sports and more about yelling about athletes over last decade or two. I doubt this will change things for the better.

But it has seemed like the NFL has resisted that option for some reason.

Originally Posted by: beast 


I think NFL resists the team focus because owners will gripe big time. You're going to see a big difference between the Packers viewership vs let's say Jaguars. And that may or may not lead to squabble about revenue share splits. It shouldn't because they really SHOULD know who pulls in the eyeballs already.

If that theory has any tread, maybe sell packages by division then? Rather than seeing Packers have 4 million subscribers and Jaguars have 300k, make it NFC North or AFC South, etc that people have to subscribe to? Yeah, price will be higher, but it could also create new fans for teams too.

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Mucky Tundra (2h) : Yes
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dfosterf (3h) : The man carried us a lot of the time
dfosterf (3h) : I think a Kenny Clark tribute is in order
Zero2Cool (11h) : new site, text editor gooder even on phone
beast (11h) : Oh yes, sometimes they make using a cellphone tough. I just wanted to make sure it was the correct article, & thank you for pointing it out.
jdlax (13h) : I can't believe one of my teams went out and wablammo just up and acquired one of the best players in the world overnight
dfosterf (17h) : I do very much appreciate when Beast and others pick up my slack 😊
dfosterf (17h) : I accept Beast's admonishment regarding my failure to link stuff I reference. I simply never learned to link from my cell phone.
beast (18h) : That's not what your she said 😌, she said keep going 😏
Mucky Tundra (21h) : Anything over 4 hours means he needs to get to the hospital
Mucky Tundra (21h) : Someone might want to check on Hafley and make sure his erection has gone down
Zero2Cool (23h) : LaFleur texts "bleep me I cannot sit down"
Zero2Cool (23h) : YouTube has had me last hour or two lol
Mucky Tundra (23h) : Ugh this trade happened right as my shift started and it's killing me
Zero2Cool (23h) : Parsons wore 23 in high school.
Zero2Cool (23h) : Packers just cost Lions more money with Hutchinson too huh
Zero2Cool (28-Aug) : That is fair by me.
buckeyepackfan (28-Aug) : Kenny Clark is the player, 2 1st rnd picks
Zero2Cool (28-Aug) : umm... what?
wpr (28-Aug) : I am stunned
Mucky Tundra (28-Aug) : RICKEY SCOOPS WAS RIGHT AGAIN!!!
Mucky Tundra (28-Aug) : ITS HAPPENING
buckeyepackfan (28-Aug) : DEAL IS DONE
buckeyepackfan (28-Aug) : MICAH IS COMING TO GREEN BAY!!!!!!!!!
wpr (28-Aug) : Me do-ed it gooderly,
Zero2Cool (28-Aug) : Bahah, I was like WTF why isn't anyone posting on PP.com ... oops no one has permissions
dfosterf (27-Aug) : tell her I reckon
dfosterf (27-Aug) : Micah Robinson cut. Probable PS player tomorrow. Has to call mom back and t
Zero2Cool (27-Aug) : New site so much better. Might make switch and deal with it.
dfosterf (27-Aug) : Mecole Hardman to our practice squad
dfosterf (27-Aug) : Nick Nieman from Texans our 5th linebacker. Special teams signing
TheKanataThrilla (27-Aug) : Looks like we signed Clayton Tune as QB3
wpr (27-Aug) : TKT people lose their minds over QB3. Point is almost none of them are ready that's why they are on the PS and other teams don't take them.
TheKanataThrilla (27-Aug) : Unfortunately he doesn't seem ready to be an emergency QB.
TheKanataThrilla (27-Aug) : As a Canadian and a follower of Canadian University football. I am rooting for him
dfosterf (27-Aug) : I bet a lot of us will follow the Taylor Elgersma journey with interest. Personally, got a Kurt Warner vibe goin' on. I like him
TheKanataThrilla (27-Aug) : Not sure if either will be claimed though.
TheKanataThrilla (27-Aug) : Tune or Hooker would make sense
dfosterf (27-Aug) : Clayton Tune cut by the Cards? Don't know if that's the guy, we shall see
TheKanataThrilla (27-Aug) : Per Bill Huber, the Packers will not be bringing back Taylor Elgersma or Sean Clifford on the practice squad, so a new third quarterback
Mucky Tundra (27-Aug) : Schefter must have deleted his tweet
dfosterf (27-Aug) : Hopefully Jerry reaches under the seat cushions and ashtrays of his jet and scrapes up the 45 million apr and spares us further nonsense
dfosterf (27-Aug) : Have to admit the PO'd Cowboy fan videos would be fun to watch. Problem with draft picks is half their fanbase barely knows what that is
beast (27-Aug) : I think Cowboys fans are ready to get their pitch forks and burning sticks if Jerry were to trade Micah
dfosterf (27-Aug) : If Jerry traded Micah to GB, here in northern Va. they would have to quick build yet another data center to handle the internet hate traffic
Zero2Cool (27-Aug) : its signing and trades that you don't hear about, other then announced
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