Particle.news
Download on the App Store

NFL Owners Approve ESPN’s Purchase of NFL Network, Pushing Deal to U.S. Antitrust Review

The owners’ approval sends the deal into federal antitrust review, leaving the outcome, timeline uncertain.

Overview

  • League executive Hans Schroeder confirmed the owners’ vote, and outlets report the regulatory review could take months with no projected closing date.
  • Under the proposed terms, Disney/ESPN would acquire NFL Network along with linear rights to NFL RedZone and other NFL Media assets in exchange for a 10% equity stake in ESPN for the NFL.
  • Reporting by TheWrap says Monday Night Football simulcasts on ABC and ESPN would end, NFL Network would continue to air seven games, and ESPN would license three additional games per season to NFL Network.
  • The NFL would continue to own and operate NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, the NFL Podcast Network, the NFL FAST channel, and all club websites, while retaining production and digital distribution rights for RedZone.
  • ESPN intends to fold NFL Network into its direct-to-consumer service, expanding NFL programming on its streaming platforms if regulators approve the transaction.