ESPN Acquires NFL Network and RedZone in Massive Media Deal

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The NFL has sold NFL Network and RedZone to ESPN in a deal worth $2-3 billion. Learn more about the acquisition and what it means for football fans.

“We're giving them what I believe is the best content, and they're giving us the greatest operational...”

The NFL has sold NFL Network and Sunday RedZone to ESPN in a deal worth $2-3 billion. As part of the agreement, ESPN will take over the networks, while the NFL will gain a 10% equity stake in the sports media company. Scott Hanson will continue to host RedZone under the new ownership. The deal also includes merging NFL Fantasy Football with ESPN Fantasy Football.

The deal is pending federal regulatory approval, a process that may take several months. Until then, fans shouldn't expect significant changes to ESPN or NFL Network.

Key takeaways for fans: Scott Hanson will stay on as host of NFL RedZone, and the channel will continue to stream on NFL+ alongside traditional TV. The deal also gives ESPN exclusive rights to NFL Network and its annual seven NFL games.

The NFL will retain ownership of NFL Films, NFL Podcast Network, and NFL+. Meanwhile, ESPN's new streaming service will launch at $29.99/month, offering pro and college sports, plus popular shows like Pardon The Interruption and SportsCenter.

ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said, “By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN’s reach and innovation, we’re creating a premier destination for football fans.” The deal also requires approval from NFL team owners, which is expected to be a formality given the potential for expanded reach of NFL programming.

ESPN to acquire NFL Network and other media assets from the NFL

🔗: https://t.co/pkgHdh5PLV pic.twitter.com/YHL8rMJgg6

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 6, 2025

“I think we've hooked up with the best partners we can have,” said New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, chairman of the NFL's media committee.

“That will help expose us to more homes, more of an international audience. Strategically, we have to grow our salary cap and can only do that by - if we want to keep labor peace, we have to grow our audience. This transaction helps us to do that.”

ESPN and the National Football League announced a non-binding agreement under which ESPN will acquire NFL Network and certain other media assets owned and controlled by the NFL — including NFL’s linear RedZone Channel, and NFL Fantasy — in exchange for a 10% equity stake in ESPN. pic.twitter.com/z5q5E46aKW

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 6, 2025

Global growth opportunities for the NFL were a key factor in the deal, particularly since the league already hosts games overseas each season.

“We're hooking up with the strongest sports amalgamation of sports product,” Kraft said. “We're giving them what I believe is the best content, and they're giving us the greatest operational company to grow our audience globally.”

“This is a way for us to broaden our audience. We've done so much. I don't think there's any company like (ESPN owners) Disney and ESPN in doing sports, all sports. We need to expose our product to more people and a greater variety of people.”