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NBC Sports
08-08-2025
- Business
- NBC Sports
ESPN assures NFL reporters that "nothing will change"
If/when the 'non-binding agreement' between ESPN and the NFL becomes final and binding, the NFL will own 10 percent of ESPN. As recently explained, that will inevitably impact the manner in which ESPN covers the NFL. For now, ESPN is telling its NFL reporters that it won't. 'Of course I'm concerned, but I've had assurances from everyone who I work with that nothing will change,' ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr. told John Ourand for the latest issue of his indispensable newsletter, The Varsity. 'I am deep into an investigative project about the National Football League, and I believe it will be published just as it would've been published before the NFL became a part owner of ours.' Maybe it will. Maybe it won't. Regardless, things have changed. The NFL and ESPN have gone from becoming arm's-length business associates to joined-at-the-hip business partners. Even at only 10 percent, the NFL and ESPN have combined into one overlapping entity. And while the NFL may tolerate some short-term rabble-rousing in order to avoid claims of being heavy-handed, it will make far more sense to see how this plays out over the long haul. Indeed, it's one thing to kill an 'investigative project about the National Football League' when the reporter is already 'deep' into it. That would be too obviously fishy. It's another thing to exercise editorial discretion to not pursue that story in the first place. Which is precisely was could happen moving forward. Yes, ESPN employs folks like Van Natta and Kalyn Kahler, who (unlike most NFL reporters) will risk a negative impact to their access in the name of getting to the truth. And those folks may continue to stubbornly pursue topics that will make the NFL uncomfortable. They may even show up at the Commissioner's Super Bowl press conference and ask him a pointed question. Twice. Then, when their contracts are up, a business decision will be made to end the relationship. In other words, Van Natta and/or Kahler and/or anyone else at ESPN who chooses to dig too deeply and too aggressively into the business of the NFL's new business partner could get Jim Trotter'd.
USA Today
06-08-2025
- Business
- USA Today
ESPN completely sheds disguise of objectivity with NFL deal
Good morning and welcome back to The Morning Win, where I'm still allowed to voice an opinion on just about anything in sports without fear of consequence. Today, the same can't be said about ESPN after it was announced Tuesday that Disney agreed to sell a 10 percent equity stake of the network to the NFL in exchange for the rights to distribute the NFL Network and RedZone Channel. Reaction to the news seemed mostly negative, as fans on social media worried ESPN might ruin a couple properties they enjoy which... yikes. Really tells you how people feel about ESPN these days. There's also the obvious gambling conflict that comes up with ESPN Bet. But that's not the part I'm concerned with right now. What jumped out to me about this deal is the journalism of it all. ESPN is the biggest sports media company in the country. It's supposed to cover the NFL. How on earth can it do that objectively if the NFL is a part-owner? ESPN DTC: Everything to know about the new streaming service The answer, of course, is it probably can't. This deal is ESPN completely taking off any disguise of being a trusted source of hard-hitting, independent journalism. At least when it comes to the big, bad National Football League. Or at least it won't be able to shake it if there's a controversial story handled a certain way. The truth is, this was always the case. Has been for a while. When you earn the broadcast rights for games from a league as powerful as the NFL, you have to be a good little partner to keep those rights. Let me say that ESPN has done good work on the journalism side, from the writers who cover each team to the investigative stories penned by Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham. And Disney CEO Bob Iger recently told the Wall Street Journal "nothing in this deal in any way changes ESPN's approach when it comes to journalism," and he's right, because ESPN always tip-toed in its coverage. Remember when the network suspended Bill Simmons in 2014 for calling Roger Goodell a liar? That happened to one of its most popular sports personalities when the NFL only had a fraction of the power and influence it'll have now. But here's the thing: Even as ESPN likely played nice all along, the network at least cared about its optics before. Even if objectivity was compromised, the Worldwide Leader in sports separated itself enough to give an impression its writers and personalities had the freedom to hold partners accountable if necessary. Now? That veil is completely gone. Ripped off overnight. ESPN has completely leaned into the "E" of it all. The NFL is boss. So, yeah, ESPN might ruin the NFL Network and RedZone, but that's not the part I'm worried about because ESPN's coverage of the NFL will probably ruin ESPN first. PSA: STOP THROWING THINGS AT WNBA GAMES! I really didn't think it'd become necessary to address this, but people can be stupid sometimes and love to give us constant reminders of how stupid they can be. So here it is: Can we please stop throwing sex toys on the court at WNBA games? It's not funny and it never was. Not the first time, and not the latest time during Tuesday's game between the Fever and Sparks, which Sophie Cunningham addressed in a tweet and Sparks coach Lynne Roberts had this to say about: "I think it's ridiculous. It's dumb. It's stupid. It's also dangerous. Player safety is number one. Respecting the game. All those things. I think it's really stupid." At least one of the people caught for throwing something at a game has been arrested and faces multiple charges. I personally hope they catch the others too. This is getting out of hand. Quick Hits: No more smelling salts ... Spider-Man is back ... and more This was For The Win's daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here.
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ESPN completely sheds disguise of objectivity with NFL deal
Good morning and welcome back to The Morning Win, where I'm still allowed to voice an opinion on just about anything in sports without fear of consequence. Today, the same can't be said about ESPN after it was announced Tuesday that Disney agreed to sell a 10 percent equity stake of the network to the NFL in exchange for the rights to distribute the NFL Network and RedZone Channel. Reaction to the news seemed mostly negative, as fans on social media worried ESPN might ruin a couple properties they enjoy which... yikes. Really tells you how people feel about ESPN these days. There's also the obvious gambling conflict that comes up with ESPN Bet. But that's not the part I'm concerned with right now. What jumped out to me about this deal is the journalism of it all. ESPN is the biggest sports media company in the country. It's supposed to cover the NFL. How on earth can it do that objectively if the NFL is a part-owner? ESPN DTC: Everything to know about the new streaming service The answer, of course, is it probably can't. This deal is ESPN completely taking off any disguise of being a trusted source of hard-hitting, independent journalism. At least when it comes to the big, bad National Football League. Or at least it won't be able to shake it if there's a controversial story handled a certain way. The truth is, this was always the case. Has been for a while. When you earn the broadcast rights for games from a league as powerful as the NFL, you have to be a good little partner to keep those rights. Let me say that ESPN has done good work on the journalism side, from the writers who cover each team to the investigative stories penned by Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham. And Disney CEO Bob Iger recently told the Wall Street Journal "nothing in this deal in any way changes ESPN's approach when it comes to journalism," and he's right, because ESPN always tip-toed in its coverage. But remember when the network suspended Bill Simmons in 2014 for calling Roger Goodell a liar? That happened to one of its most popular sports personalities when the NFL only had a fraction of the power and influence it'll have now. But here's the thing: Even as ESPN likely played nice all along, the network at least cared about its optics before. Even if objectivity was compromised, the Worldwide Leader in sports separated itself enough to give an impression its writers and personalities had the freedom to hold partners accountable if necessary. Now? That veil is completely gone. Ripped off overnight. ESPN has completely leaned into the "E" of it all. The NFL is boss. So, yeah, ESPN might ruin the NFL Network and RedZone, but that's not the part I'm worried about because ESPN's coverage of the NFL will probably ruin ESPN first. PSA: STOP THROWING THINGS AT WNBA GAMES! I really didn't think it'd become necessary to address this, but people can be stupid sometimes and love to give us constant reminders of how stupid they can be. So here it is: Can we please stop throwing sex toys on the court at WNBA games? It's not funny and it never was. Not the first time, and not the latest time during Tuesday's game between the Fever and Sparks, which Sophie Cunningham addressed in a tweet and Sparks coach Lynne Roberts had this to say about: "I think it's ridiculous. It's dumb. It's stupid. It's also dangerous. Player safety is number one. Respecting the game. All those things. I think it's really stupid." At least one of the people caught for throwing something at a game has been arrested and faces multiple charges. I personally hope they catch the others too. This is getting out of hand. Quick Hits: No more smelling salts ... Spider-Man is back ... and more The NFL has a new ban on smelling salts and ammonia inhalants and at least one player is taking the news really hard. George Kittle said he considered retirement over the ban. Filming for the new MCU Spider-Man flick, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, is underway, and this one photo from the set has me so fired up for the release. The Mystics traded all-star guard Brittany Sykes to the contending Storm. Here's Meg Hall with trade grades for the surprising deal. If the Cowboys stink this year, it won't be because of the bad vibes created by Jerry Jones or an absence of Micah Parsons. It'll be because new coach Brian Schottenheimer wears a backwards visor. Umm, OK. This article originally appeared on For The Win: ESPN and NFL deal brings in objectivity questions
NBC Sports
31-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
NFLPA has no vote scheduled for interim executive director
Two weeks ago today, NFL Players Association executive director Lloyd Howell resigned. He has yet to be replaced. It's unclear when he will be. Per the NFLPA, no vote has been scheduled for an interim executive director. It's smart to not rush things. At some point, however, someone needs to be officially given the reins. Earlier this week, ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr., appearing on John Ourand's podcast, identified two candidates for the job: NFLPA chief player officer Don Davis and former NFLPA president Domonique Foxworth. There hopefully are more candidates. Ideally, the union will broaden the lens beyond people who currently work for the union or those with connections to it. The situation calls for a big swing. For creative thinking. For a strategic effort both to stabilize the NFLPA and to prepare to stare down the NFL in the next round of CBA talks. Yes, the current deal doesn't expire until early 2031. But the ability to agree to an 18th game before the current deal ends creates a real opportunity for the players to get more in return. Remember, the next two seasons are locked at 17 games. The 2027 season, which culminates in Atlanta, has yet to attach a date to the Super Bowl. It could still be the first season with 18 games. Before that can happen, the NFL and NFLPA need to make a deal. Before that can happen, the NFLPA needs to hire a new executive director.
NBC Sports
24-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Van Natta Jr.: NFLPA chaos 'will get worse'
Don Van Natta Jr. joins the Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz to discuss his reporting on Lloyd Howell Jr. and the alleged collusion between the NFL owners and the NFLPA.
