NFL Gets 10% Stake in ESPN Through Swap Acquisition Deal

As part of an exchange agreement, Disney’s ESPN will gain ownership of the National Football League(NFL)  in the United States in return for giving a 10% equity share in its company.

ESPN will also acquire other assets of the NFL. The assets include NFL RedZone, a subscription-based highlights service, and the NFL Network cable channel, according to a statement on Tuesday.  Disney will also have the opportunity to broadcast additional NFL games.

For the first time, the deal will bring the NFL under the ownership structure of Disney, highlighting the growing importance of streaming in today’s World. The deal brings seismic changes to sports streaming, redefining the broadcasting of global sports leagues.

Disney is set to launch a new streaming service called Simply ESPN, and it will cost $30. 

In this plan, customers will get sports streaming with Disney’s traditional TV channels.

NFL Viewership

In 2024, the NFL ranked in the top 50 prime shows in the US. The most popular sports in the US are expected to continue their dominance in 2025. The National Football League attracted an average of 17 million viewers in 2024, which was 2.2% less than in 2023.

The deal will not include the NFL’s retail media businesses like NFL Films and fan-facing platforms.

Ownership Structure of ESPN

Currently, ESPN is owned by Disney and Hearst Communications Inc., which holds 80% and 20% stakes, respectively. The deal will be finalised next year.

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ESPN- Premiere Fan Destination

Robert A. Iger, CEO of Walt Disney Company, called the announcement “ a way for the world’s leading sports media brand and America’s most popular sport to deliver an even more compelling experience for NFL fans”.