NFL expected to sell media assets to ESPN for an equity stake

By JOE REEDY The NFL and ESPN are expected to announce an agreement next week under which bulk of the league s key media holdings would go to the sports framework People familiar with the transaction mentioned the multibillion-dollar deal would give the NFL an equity stake in ESPN The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized It was first communicated by The Athletic The NFL and ESPN had no comment The NFL has been trying to sell its media properties for nearly five years ESPN and the league have been involved in on-again off-again talks for the past three years The proposed move comes as ESPN is expected to soon launch its direct-to-consumer provision possibly before the end of August The amenity would give cord-cutters access to all of ESPN s programs and networks for per month Majority cable satellite and viewers who have streaming services will receive the arrangement for free as part of their subscription ESPN would get access to the popular RedZone channel as well as NFL System and an additional seven regular-season games six international and a Saturday afternoon late-season contest Related Articles Nothing but good vibrations at ers training camp in contrast to How Bryce Huff and ers other veteran newcomers are faring week into camp ers safety Jason Pinnock finds familiarity on the opposite coast ers rookie fire hydrant C J West douses linemen with his violent hands ers quarterback Brock Purdy becomes a girl dad A couple of weeks ago ESPN released that NFL Arrangement host Rich Eisen s three-hour scheme would air on ESPN Radio as well as stream on Disney and ESPN The Rich Eisen Show is not affiliated with NFL Setup ESPN has carried NFL games since and Monday Night Football since Under the current TV contract it will have the and Super Bowls for the first time NFL Framework started in November as the NFL became the second major pro league to have its own setup NBA TV started in MLB System in and NHL Structure in the United States in