Overview

• The NFL completed an equity-for-asset swap giving ESPN ownership of NFL Network in exchange for the league’s 10% stake in the network
• Through its involvement in Skydance Media’s merger with Paramount Global, the NFL also secured a minority equity stake in CBS
• ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro and NFL executive Hans Schroeder said future media rights negotiations will be held at arm’s length without preferential treatment
• Disney CEO Bob Iger reaffirmed that ESPN’s approach to journalism will remain unchanged despite the NFL’s new ownership position
• Podcast host David Samson and other critics have raised concerns that the league’s financial ties could influence ESPN’s NFL coverage