Disney’s ESPN Closes Deal To Acquire NFL Network and Other Media Assets

Last summer, Disney announced that its sports business, ESPN, would acquire the NFL Network and certain other media assets owned and controlled by the NFL — including the NFL’s linear RedZone Channel, and NFL Fantasy — in exchange for a 10% equity stake in ESPN.

In addition to the sale of NFL Network, the NFL and ESPN also entered into a second non-binding agreement, under which the NFL will license to ESPN certain NFL content and other intellectual property to be used by NFL Network and other assets.

This weekend, the deal closed following US Government approval, with Disney now owning 70% of ESPN, Hearst 20%, and the NFL 10%.

Disney and the NFL said in a statement regarding the deal:

“The NFL and ESPN are pleased to announce the official closing of the sale of NFL Network and other NFL Media assets to ESPN.  With the closing, we will begin integrating NFL employees into ESPN in the months ahead. As we look to the future, NFL fans can look forward to expanded NFL programming, greater access to NFL Network, innovative fantasy experiences and unparalleled coverage of America’s most popular sport.”

In the short term, viewers won’t notice any differences before April, as that’s when the new agreement will take effect.  During 2026, the NFL Network will be integrated into ESPN Unlimited and thus also available through ESPN On Disney+ for bundled subscribers.  NFL’s RedZone will be distributed by ESPN to pay-TV providers starting with the 2026 season, and will continue to be available as a direct-to-consumer offering through the premium tier of NFL+.   As part of the deal, some current NFL employers, including presenters, will be moved over to ESPN from April. 

Here are some of the details revealed last summer about the deal:

• NFL Network, including both linear and digital rights, would be owned and operated by ESPN and fully integrated into ESPN DTC, alongside traditional pay television distribution, increasing accessibility and flexibility for consumers and promoting innovation in sports programming.
• ESPN would own broad rights to the RedZone brand and distribute the NFL RedZone Channel to pay TV operators for continued inclusion into their sports packages.
• NFL Fantasy Football would merge with ESPN Fantasy Football, creating the official Fantasy season-long game of the NFL and one of the best-in-class digital experiences, driving innovation and enabling broader reach to meet global demand.
• ESPN’s platforms will license an additional three NFL games per season to air on NFL Network. In addition, ESPN will adjust its overall NFL game schedule, with four games (including some from overlapping windows) shifting to the NFL Network, which will continue to present seven games per season.
• The NFL will continue to own and operate its retained media businesses, including properties such as NFL Films and key fan-facing platforms such as NFL+, NFL.com, the NFL Podcast Network, the NFL FAST Channel and the official sites for the league’s 32 clubs. It will also continue to own, operate, and produce NFL RedZone, and retain the rights to distribute NFL RedZone digitally.

Roger’s Take:  Expect Disney to officially announce some more details on this deal on Monday, 2nd February 2026, as the company is releasing its quarterly results, so this will likely help boost the share price, as the addition of more NFL content on ESPN Unlimited will continue the trend of Disney building out its sports streaming business.   Making the NFL Redzone and Network part of the ESPN Unlimited streaming service will help get new subscribers when the new season starts, while also encouraging existing subscribers to stay around.   ESPN also has a few months to get everything ready for the new season later this summer.

Internationally, things are a little more interesting, as I doubt we will see NFL content added to ESPN/Disney+ around the world any time soon, since there are already many deals in place, such as with Sky Sports and DAZN.  But as time goes on, depending on how seriously Disney takes building out its sports programming internationally, hopefully Disney+ subscribers will get access to some of this content.

What do you think of ESPN making this deal with the NFL?  Let me know on social media!