The NFL is acquiring a 10% ownership share in Disney’s ESPN

In a transformative deal that could reshape the sports media landscape for years to come, Walt Disney Co. and the National Football League (NFL) announced Tuesday that the NFL will take a 10% equity stake in ESPN, the sports media titan owned by Disney. In return, ESPN will acquire key NFL media assets including NFL Network, NFL RedZone (distribution rights), and NFL Fantasy, marking a dramatic shift in both the ownership and distribution of professional football content in the U.S.

While the companies declined to assign a specific monetary figure to the agreement, industry analysts estimate the transaction’s value between $2 billion and $3 billion, making it one of the most significant equity-media swaps in sports history.

The deal comes as ESPN prepares to launch its standalone streaming service, ESPN-branded DTC (direct-to-consumer) platform, expected to go live later this month with a $29.99 monthly subscription price. By gaining full control over NFL Network and related assets, ESPN enhances its already dominant sports portfolio and takes a significant step toward creating a comprehensive, 24/7 football experience under one roof—ideal for streaming-era consumption.