Overview
- The Justice Department and other antitrust authorities approved the transaction, and ESPN and the NFL said the deal officially closed Saturday night.
- ESPN acquired NFL Network, NFL Fantasy and linear distribution rights to NFL RedZone, while the NFL keeps producing RedZone and retains NFL+, NFL.com, NFL Films, the NFL Podcast Network and the NFL FAST channel.
- NFL Media staff will begin moving to ESPN in April, and NFL Network is slated to be included in ESPN’s direct-to-consumer service for the 2026 season, with ESPN Unlimited priced at $29.99 per month.
- ESPN will carry 28 NFL games per season under the new setup, Monday Night Football doubleheaders will end, and seven regular-season games will air on NFL Network controlled by ESPN.
- Disney’s SEC filing shows ESPN can buy back the NFL’s stake starting in July 2034 at 70% of then–fair market value via a 10‑year note, and the NFL holds an option to purchase an additional 4% on the same terms.