NFL expected to sell media assets to ESPN for an equity stake
By JOE REEDY The NFL and ESPN are expected to announce an agreement next week under which most of of the league s crucial media holdings would go to the sports arrangement People familiar with the transaction noted the multibillion-dollar deal would give the NFL an equity stake in ESPN The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized It was first communicated by The Athletic The NFL and ESPN had no comment The NFL has been trying to sell its media properties for nearly five years ESPN and the league have been involved in on-again off-again talks for the past three years The proposed move comes as ESPN is expected to soon launch its direct-to-consumer system possibly before the end of August The system would give cord-cutters access to all of ESPN s programs and networks for per month The majority cable satellite and viewers who have streaming services will receive the arrangement for free as part of their subscription ESPN would get access to the popular RedZone channel as well as NFL Configuration and an additional seven regular-season games six international and a Saturday afternoon late-season contest Related Articles Nothing but good vibrations at ers training camp in contrast to How Bryce Huff and ers other veteran newcomers are faring week into camp ers safety Jason Pinnock finds familiarity on the opposite coast ers rookie fire hydrant C J West douses linemen with his violent hands ers quarterback Brock Purdy becomes a girl dad A couple of weeks ago ESPN stated that NFL Organization host Rich Eisen s three-hour operation would air on ESPN Radio as well as stream on Disney and ESPN The Rich Eisen Show is not affiliated with NFL Infrastructure ESPN has carried NFL games since and Monday Night Football since Under the current TV contract it will have the and Super Bowls for the first time NFL System started in November as the NFL became the second major pro league to have its own structure NBA TV started in MLB Configuration in and NHL Organization in the United States in
