Disney acquires NFL media, to merge fantasy football

ESPN, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company, entered a non-binding agreement to acquire the NFL Network, according to a Tuesday night statement from ESPN. The deal will include rights to the NFL’s popular RedZone channel and other media rights while giving the NFL a 10% equity in ESPN. The NFL will also continue to own, operate, and produce NFL RedZone and retain rights for its digital distribution. The NFL Network’s digital streaming rights and rights for traditional, scheduled TV broadcasts will be owned and operated by ESPN and integrated into the media giant’s upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming platform, ESPN said. The new ESPN streaming service will launch in early fall for about $30 per month, according to the May announcement.

The NFL’s sale will build on its legacy and offer more NFL football to fans in new and innovative ways, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a Tuesday news release. NFL content will also remain available on traditional pay TV providers. The NFL also agreed to license additional NFL content and intellectual property to ESPN in a separate deal, the release said. The NFL will continue to own and operate its media businesses like NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, the NFL Podcast Network, and the NFL FAST Channel. It also owns official websites for the league's 32 clubs.

What's happening with fantasy football? ESPN also planned to merge the NFL’s Fantasy football with ESPN’s fantasy platform to make it the official platform of the NFL, according to ESPN. The merger will create a best-in-class digital experience for an official season-long fantasy game with a broader global reach, the NFL said.

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