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ESPN-NFL Media Deal Heads to Antitrust Review as Streaming Launch Nears

ESPN will debut its standalone streaming service with bundled NFL+ Premium on August 21.

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San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy (13) hands the ball off to San Francisco 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey (23) during practice at the 49ers training camp at the practice facility at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
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Overview

  • ESPN’s agreement transfers control of NFL Network, the RedZone channel and NFL Fantasy to ESPN in exchange for the NFL acquiring a 10 percent stake in the network.
  • The transaction must secure sign-off from the Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission and NFL owners before its anticipated closing by late 2026.
  • ESPN’s upcoming $29.99-per-month direct-to-consumer service will include live RedZone coverage through the bundled NFL+ Premium app.
  • ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro has assured that the network’s journalistic standards in NFL coverage will not change despite the league’s new equity position.
  • President Trump could become a decisive voice in the deal’s regulatory review amid concerns over media ownership and bias.