ESPN Could Be Getting NFL Network And Red Zone For $2 Billion And This Is Going To Be Expensive For Us
Awful Announcing - According to The Atheltic’s Andrew Marchand, ESPN and the NFL are “inside the five-yard line” in their ongoing negotiations, which would see the Worldwide Leader acquire a significant portion of NFL Media. While the details of the potential deal that was first reported on in January 2024 have yet to be finalized, Marchand notes that it could see ESPN acquire properties including the NFL Network, Red Zone Channel and the seven regular-season NFL games that currently air on the league-owned network.
Plenty can still change as nothing has been finalized, but Marchand added that talks have advanced to the point that the league has informed its owners that they may need to vote on a deal early next month, which Sports Business Journal also reported last week. At this point, it’s unclear how much money or equity would be exchanged in the deal, although recent reports have valued NFL Media at approximately $2 billion.
“It will be enormous,” Marchand reports regarding the potential payday.
As for ESPN, the acquisition of high profile assets such as the NFL Network, Red Zone Channel and regular-season games would arm the Disney property with more NFL-related inventory with the debut of its DTC streaming service expected this fall. While an official launch date has yet to be revealed, we now know that it will cost $29.99 per month and merely be referred to as “ESPN.”
NFL Red Zone ... one of the greatest things in sports television if you ask me. There's been a handful of things that have been a true home run or touchdown I guess when it comes to watching sports on TV. The remote control, Youtube TV Multiview, Sportscenter, dedicated sport channels ie- MLB Network, NBA TV etc, and NFL Red Zone. The way it's laid out is terrific. Action nonstop, no commercials, look in for games out of market, updated stats, injuries, and every single touchdown. Just awesome. I'm sure the old folks hate it, and I have heard people complain about it, but you got to love it if you love football. A terrific viewing experience, especially in the 1pm slate.
Cable packages and streaming services have already upped their price to make it a standalone channel or included in an add on package and you suck it up and pay for it because you need it. Got to have that channel on a Sunday for bets, TD's, spread drama, as well as being able to watch multiple games at once the way they lay out the boxes. Just the damn best, and something we all willingly pay for it. However, everything has a limit, and at this point you need 12 (estimate) different streaming services to watch primetime or nationally broadcasted NFL games. At some point we have to put a foot down and try to fight back. So when I see ESPN floating $29,99 a month, I get upset. Listen am I going to pay for this, of course, but just because people want something doesn't mean you should bend them over and ram it in (metaphorically) and that's what's going on here. It's nearly double the cost of what the add on currently is on Youtube TV or you cable package. LIke cmon man. I guess they got to make back some of the money they are spending to acquire it but trying to make it back from the fans and customers is bullshit. Again, I'm gonna buy it but this sucks. Help us out NFL please.