The NFL has announced it will take a 10% ownership stake in Disney’s ESPN, marking a strategic shift that significantly strengthens the bond between professional football and sports broadcasting. In exchange for this stake—reportedly valued at over $2 billion—ESPN will acquire the NFL’s cable properties, most notably NFL Network and NFL RedZone, as well as key digital and fantasy football assets.

This agreement, still awaiting regulatory approval and expected to be operational by the 2026 NFL season, comes at a critical moment for ESPN. The network is preparing a major expansion into direct-to-consumer streaming, giving fans the ability to access sports content without a cable subscription. Integrating NFL Network and RedZone into this upcoming platform is poised to make ESPN the premier destination for football fans across all viewing platforms.

Under the deal, ESPN will obtain both the linear and digital rights to NFL Network, ensuring broad access through both its existing cable channels and its new streaming service. Additionally, ESPN will take over the NFL’s popular fantasy football platform, which will be merged into ESPN’s own fantasy product—solidifying ESPN Fantasy Football as the official NFL game for fans.

For the NFL, this move provides a direct stake in the future of sports media distribution, allowing the league to influence how its content is delivered and reaching broader audiences in the era of cord-cutting. Meanwhile, for Disney and ESPN, the transaction builds on a long-standing relationship, offering major growth opportunities in sports media and content innovation.

As these changes roll out, viewers can expect enhanced coverage, innovative digital features, and even more ways to engage with their favorite sport. This transformation positions ESPN and the NFL at the forefront of the next generation of sports entertainment.