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INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The NFL is turning over control of some of its most valuable media properties to ESPN in a blockbuster agreement that could reshape how fans consume football content.
Under the terms of the deal, ESPN will take over operations of NFL RedZone, NFL Network, NFL.com and other league-owned media platforms, while the NFL will receive an equity stake of up to 10 percent in ESPN, according to multiple reports. The agreement is valued in the low-to-mid billion-dollar range, with estimates nearing $2 billion.
The move brings some of the NFL’s most popular media properties under the ESPN umbrella ahead of the sports network's highly anticipated launch of a standalone streaming service later this year.
NFL Media, including the NFL Network studios, RedZone production, and digital operations for NFL.com, are based in the league’s state-of-the-art Los Angeles facility next to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. That campus has served as the central hub of NFL-owned content creation since 2021 and is expected to remain a major part of ESPN’s operational footprint moving forward.
As part of a potential agreement, ESPN would take control of NFL Media, which includes NFL Network, NFL dot com, Red Zone and NFL Films.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) August 1, 2025
This could mean ESPN leaving their LA Live offices and studios and moving to the 450,000-square-foot NFL Media building next to SoFi Stadium. https://t.co/2ikdziMDwR pic.twitter.com/3yzvcekJJo
As part of the deal, ESPN will also assume control of seven exclusive live NFL games and gain access to new fantasy football, betting, and original programming content tied to the NFL.
The agreement signals a major step forward in ESPN’s transition toward a direct-to-consumer future. The network is expected to integrate RedZone and NFL Network into its $29.99-per-month streaming service, scheduled to launch this fall. That platform will also feature out-of-market games, studio shows, and a host of NFL digital assets now coming under ESPN's control.
While financial details have not been publicly disclosed, the value of the equity stake and operational control could result in the NFL becoming one of Disney’s most significant strategic partners. The league’s ownership group is expected to formally vote on the arrangement later this month, with the deal anticipated to be finalized ahead of the 2025 regular season.
Neither the NFL nor ESPN immediately responded to requests for comment.
The partnership underscores the accelerating shift in sports consumption habits as leagues look to streamline offerings and maximize revenue through direct distribution. The deal is also expected to generate a ripple effect across the league’s revenue streams, potentially boosting the salary cap in future seasons and expanding the league’s already dominant media footprint.