Overview

• Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, with Representatives Joaquin Castro and Pat Ryan, sent a letter to Disney, ESPN, the NFL and MLB warning the proposed arrangements could disadvantage rivals and raise costs for fans.
• ESPN has announced a roughly $3 billion deal to acquire NFL Network, RedZone distribution rights and the league’s fantasy business, with the NFL set to receive a 10% equity stake in ESPN.
• The letter flags ESPN’s reported agreement in principle to fold MLB.TV into its new streaming service and asks whether MLB.TV will remain available as a standalone product and if add-on fees will be required.
• The Justice Department is reportedly preparing a substantive review of the NFL-ESPN agreement, and spokespeople for ESPN, the NFL and MLB declined to comment to reporters.
• Lawmakers cite risks to editorial independence and potential preferential treatment between the NFL and ESPN, and they seek explanations on issues including the addition of commercials to RedZone.