US EditionESPN closes deal for NFL Network, rights for RedZone which gives the NFL a stake in the network
- On Saturday, January 31, 2026, ESPN completed its acquisition of NFL Network, NFL Fantasy, and RedZone rights, with the NFL taking a 10% stake, regulators approved the deal.
- Negotiated in the summer of 2025, the agreement underwent Justice Department and non-U.S. antitrust reviews amid rising streamer bids for NFL rights.
- ESPN will televise 28 regular-season games per season, including seven formerly on NFL Network, while licensing three extra games and moving four Monday games to NFL Network, which has nearly 50 million subscribers included in ESPN's streaming product.
- Integration begins in April 2026, when NFL employees join ESPN, and subscribers to ESPN Unlimited will gain NFL Network access at no extra cost this fall.
- The NFL will retain operation of key digital assets including NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, NFL Podcast Network, and NFL FAST Channel, while reclaiming four games it may sell to streaming platforms.
52 Articles
52 Articles
Trump Administration Greenlights Disney’s Massive NFL Takeover: ESPN Officially Acquires NFL Network and RedZone in Historic Multi-Billion Deal
In a move that will forever alter the landscape of American sports media, the Trump Administration has officially cleared the way for a seismic merger between the “Worldwide Leader in Sports” and the world’s most powerful sports league. Credit: Gage Skidmore, Flickr This week, federal regulators announced the formal approval of Disney’s multi-billion-dollar acquisition of the NFL’s media assets. Under the terms of the landmark agreement, ESPN (a…
ESPN Closes NFL Network Acquisition
ESPN has officially closed its deal to acquire the NFL Network and other media assets from the league in exchange for a 10% stake in the sports network. In addition to the NFL Network, ESPN will take control of the linear RedZone Channel and NFL Fantasy. Meanwhile, the league will continue to own and operate NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, the NFL Podcast Network, the NFL FAST channel and the official sites for the league’s 32 clubs. It will also cont…
“ESPN has become cancer” “Beginning of the end”: Fans react as regulators approve media giants' acquisition of NFL assets in $1B+ blockbuster deal
While NFL fans are gearing up for the biggest game of the season between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots on Feb. 8, ESPN has struck a massive deal with the NFL Network.
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