ESPN, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Firm, introduced on Tuesday that it’s going to formally purchase the Nationwide Soccer League (NFL) Community in a landmark settlement.
The deal — which supplies the NFL Community a ten% fairness stake in ESPN — contains the NFL’s linear RedZone Channel and NFL Fantasy.
The settlement between the sports activities media large and the NFL goals to “set a brand new customary for a way skilled soccer is delivered, skilled and celebrated by followers,” the businesses mentioned in a press launch in regards to the deal.
A element of the NFL Community brand on a shirt in the course of the Huge 12 NFL Professional Day at Ford Middle at The Star on March 19, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. (Picture by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Photos)
Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Photos
“As we speak’s announcement paves the best way for the world’s main sports activities media model and America’s hottest sport to ship an much more compelling expertise for NFL followers, in a manner that solely ESPN and Disney can,” mentioned Robert A. Iger, chief government officer of The Walt Disney Firm.
“Commissioner Goodell and the NFL have constructed excellent media property, and these transactions will add to shopper selection, present viewers with even larger comfort and high quality, and broaden the breadth and worth proposition of Disney’s streaming ecosystem,” Iger added.
The settlement coincides with ESPN’s forthcoming direct-to-consumer service, based on the discharge, which is able to now embody NFL content material. NFL programming will even stay on cable, satellite tv for pc and main streaming suppliers, the businesses mentioned.
In whole, ESPN’s platforms will license a further three NFL video games per season to air on NFL Community because of the settlement, based on the businesses.
An in depth view of an ESPN television digicam in the course of the sport between the Boston Purple Sox and Philadelphia Phillies at Residents Financial institution Park on July 23, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Purple Sox defeated the Phillies 9-8 in further innings. (Picture by Mitchell Leff/Getty Photos)
Mitchell Leff/Getty Photos
NFL Fantasy Soccer will even merge with ESPN Fantasy Soccer, creating the official Fantasy season-long sport of the NFL.
“Since its launch in 2003, NFL Community has supplied thousands and thousands of followers unprecedented entry to the game they love,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell mentioned within the launch. “Whether or not it was debuting Thursday Evening Soccer, televising the Mix, or telling unbelievable soccer tales by way of authentic reveals and breaking information, NFL Community has delivered. The Community’s sale to ESPN will construct on this outstanding legacy, offering extra NFL soccer for extra followers in new and progressive methods.”
The agreements are non-binding and the transactions are topic to the events’ negotiation and varied approvals, together with by the NFL crew house owners, based on the discharge.
“That is an thrilling day for sports activities followers,” mentioned Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN. “By combining these NFL media property with ESPN’s attain and innovation, we’re making a premier vacation spot for soccer followers.”
The Walt Disney Firm is the guardian firm of ESPN and ABC Information.
