The NFL and ESPN entered into negotiations last year about a potential deal involving NFL Network, and those talks have reportedly resumed after a lengthy hiatus.
Andrew Marchand reported over a year ago that ESPN and the NFL had engaged in serious talks about a deal that could see the league purchase a stake in ESPN. The agreement would see ESPN take control of the league-owned NFL Network, with the NFL receiving equity in ESPN in return.
Then in May, a separate report claimed the belief among NFL circles was that an agreement between the NFL and ESPN had been “all but signed” and was on the verge of being finalized. The two sides tabled the negotiations at some point after that.
Talks have now resumed, according to John Ourand of Puck. Ourand reported on Monday that ESPN and the NFL are once again discussing a deal that would give ESPN control of NFL Network and NFL RedZone.
The NFL has wanted to unload NFL Media for some time, as it has not been a financial success for the league. ESPN, meanwhile, would have the advantage of being closely tied to the most powerful sports league in America as it prepares to move to its new “Flagship” direct-to-consumer model, which is expected to launch in the fall. ESPN has an existing $2.6 billion rights deal with the NFL, which includes the “Monday Night Football” package.
Assuming the deal does eventually go through, it will be interesting to see what happens to one of the NFL’s top reporters.
