NFL grabs 10% stake of Disney’s ESPN in complex play

Nathan Jolly

August 7, 2025 11:37

The US National Football League has struck a landmark deal with ESPN that will see the broadcaster acquire the NFL Network and other NFL media assets, in exchange for a 10% stake in the sports network. The unusual meeting of a major sports rights holder and media company may be a taste of things to come in medialand.

ESPN is 80% owned by Disney, with the remaining 20% being owned by Hearst.

ESPN will also acquire NFL Fantasy, the league’s fantasy football platform, and wrap it into its existing ESPN Fantasy Football product, which will become the official NFL fantasy league.

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Nathan Jolly

Nathan Jolly is the Features Editor at Mumbrella. He joined the team in July, 2023.