In exchange, the league is being given a 10% stake in the sports network
ESPN has officially closed its deal to acquire the NFL Network and other media assets from the league in exchange for a 10% stake in the sports network.
In addition to the NFL Network, ESPN will take control of the linear RedZone Channel and NFL Fantasy. Meanwhile, the league will continue to own and operate NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, the NFL Podcast Network, the NFL FAST channel and the official sites for the league’s 32 clubs. It will also continue to own, operate, and produce NFL RedZone and retain the rights to distribute NFL RedZone digitally.
The NFL Network will be integrated into ESPN’s direct-to-consumer streaming service at the start of the 2026 season in the fall. Fans can currently get the NFL Network through NFL+ and in the ESPN DTC-NFL+ Premium bundle.
NFL RedZone TV distribution by ESPN to pay TV providers will also begin with the 2026 season and it will continue to be a part of NFL+ Premium.
