Latest news with #RobertAIger
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Disney's ESPN Scores Big With NFL Network Acquisition
ESPN, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS), is set to take over NFL Network and several other league-owned media assets, including NFL RedZone and NFL Fantasy, in a groundbreaking equity-for-assets deal with the National Football League (NFL). In return, the NFL will receive a 10% ownership stake in ESPN. Disney aims to fold these NFL properties into its expanding digital offerings and upcoming direct-to-consumer platform. ESPN will integrate NFL Network into its new streaming service while acquiring distribution rights for the NFL RedZone linear channel. Merging ESPN Fantasy with NFL Fantasy will create a unified fantasy football experience, creating what both parties call a best-in-class digital offering for global users. The deal also includes the licensing of three additional NFL games annually to ESPN games from ESPN's existing lineup will shift to the NFL Network, preserving the latter's traditional seven-game schedule. NFL content will now reach fans via both ESPN's direct-to-consumer service and traditional platforms such as cable and streaming bundles Disney CEO Robert A. Iger described the partnership as a leap forward for fan-centric innovation. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell emphasized how ESPN's resources will elevate NFL Network's legacy, while ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro called the collaboration a key step in building the network's digital future. This move coincides with Disney's broader corporate strategy, which includes accelerating its streaming efforts and digital transformation. Analysts are watching closely to see if this shift contributes to Disney's turnaround, as explored in this Disney Q3 earnings preview. The deal remains subject to final agreement and requires approval from NFL team owners. Once completed, it promises to reshape how fans access NFL content across both traditional and digital platforms. Related ETFs: Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:XLC), Invesco Dynamic Media ETF (NYSE:PBS). Price Action: At last check Wednesday, DIS shares were trading higher by 2.47% to $121.24 premarket. Read Next:Image via Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? WALT DISNEY (DIS): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Disney's ESPN Scores Big With NFL Network Acquisition originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
CNN
5 days ago
- Business
- CNN
NFL to take 10% stake in ESPN in new media rights deal
Football MediaFacebookTweetLink Follow The NFL and ESPN announced a deal Tuesday that will see the league's NFL Network and other media assets headed to the cable television giant in exchange for a 10% equity stake in the Disney-owned company. The non-binding agreement will give ownership and control of the NFL Network to ESPN, while ESPN will also license additional NFL games, NFL RedZone and NFL Films programming from the league. The two sides will also merge their fantasy football operations. 'Today's announcement paves the way for the world's leading sports media brand and America's most popular sport to deliver an even more compelling experience for NFL fans, in a way that only ESPN and Disney can,' Robert A. Iger, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company said in a statement. 'Since its launch in 2003, NFL Network has provided millions of fans unprecedented access to the sport they love,' NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. 'The Network's sale to ESPN will build on this remarkable legacy, providing more NFL football for more fans in new and innovative ways.' The deal would license broad rights to the RedZone brand and linear distribution of the RedZone Channel to ESPN. ESPN's platforms will gain rights to an additional three NFL games per season, while some games previously licensed to ESPN will air on NFL Network, which will continue to broadcast seven games per season. 'This is an exciting day for sports fans,' Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, said in a statement. 'By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN's reach and innovation, we're creating a premier destination for football fans,' said Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN. 'This deal helps fuel ESPN's digital future, laying the foundation for an even more robust offering as we prepare to launch our new direct-to-consumer service.' The NFL will continue to own and operate properties such as NFL Films, the official NFL team websites and more. The league will retain digital distribution rights to NFL RedZone, which it will continue to own and operate. The transactions are subject to further negotiation and approvals, including by the NFL team owners.
CNN
5 days ago
- Business
- CNN
NFL to take 10% stake in ESPN in new media rights deal
Football MediaFacebookTweetLink Follow The NFL and ESPN announced a deal Tuesday that will see the league's NFL Network and other media assets headed to the cable television giant in exchange for a 10% equity stake in the Disney-owned company. The non-binding agreement will give ownership and control of the NFL Network to ESPN, while ESPN will also license additional NFL games, NFL RedZone and NFL Films programming from the league. The two sides will also merge their fantasy football operations. 'Today's announcement paves the way for the world's leading sports media brand and America's most popular sport to deliver an even more compelling experience for NFL fans, in a way that only ESPN and Disney can,' Robert A. Iger, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company said in a statement. 'Since its launch in 2003, NFL Network has provided millions of fans unprecedented access to the sport they love,' NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. 'The Network's sale to ESPN will build on this remarkable legacy, providing more NFL football for more fans in new and innovative ways.' The deal would license broad rights to the RedZone brand and linear distribution of the RedZone Channel to ESPN. ESPN's platforms will gain rights to an additional three NFL games per season, while some games previously licensed to ESPN will air on NFL Network, which will continue to broadcast seven games per season. 'This is an exciting day for sports fans,' Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, said in a statement. 'By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN's reach and innovation, we're creating a premier destination for football fans,' said Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN. 'This deal helps fuel ESPN's digital future, laying the foundation for an even more robust offering as we prepare to launch our new direct-to-consumer service.' The NFL will continue to own and operate properties such as NFL Films, the official NFL team websites and more. The league will retain digital distribution rights to NFL RedZone, which it will continue to own and operate. The transactions are subject to further negotiation and approvals, including by the NFL team owners.
CNN
5 days ago
- Business
- CNN
NFL to take 10% stake in ESPN in new media rights deal
The NFL and ESPN announced a deal Tuesday that will see the league's NFL Network and other media assets headed to the cable television giant in exchange for a 10% equity stake in the Disney-owned company. The non-binding agreement will give ownership and control of the NFL Network to ESPN, while ESPN will also license additional NFL games, NFL RedZone and NFL Films programming from the league. The two sides will also merge their fantasy football operations. 'Today's announcement paves the way for the world's leading sports media brand and America's most popular sport to deliver an even more compelling experience for NFL fans, in a way that only ESPN and Disney can,' Robert A. Iger, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company said in a statement. 'Since its launch in 2003, NFL Network has provided millions of fans unprecedented access to the sport they love,' NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. 'The Network's sale to ESPN will build on this remarkable legacy, providing more NFL football for more fans in new and innovative ways.' The deal would license broad rights to the RedZone brand and linear distribution of the RedZone Channel to ESPN. ESPN's platforms will gain rights to an additional three NFL games per season, while some games previously licensed to ESPN will air on NFL Network, which will continue to broadcast seven games per season. 'This is an exciting day for sports fans,' Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, said in a statement. 'By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN's reach and innovation, we're creating a premier destination for football fans,' said Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN. 'This deal helps fuel ESPN's digital future, laying the foundation for an even more robust offering as we prepare to launch our new direct-to-consumer service.' The NFL will continue to own and operate properties such as NFL Films, the official NFL team websites and more. The league will retain digital distribution rights to NFL RedZone, which it will continue to own and operate. The transactions are subject to further negotiation and approvals, including by the NFL team owners.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Newsroom Outraged by ABC's Decision to Remove Barbara Walters' Name from New Headquarters
Legendary news-woman Barbara Walters may have made history – but ABC just rewrote it. In a move said to be sparking newsroom outrage, ABC has scrubbed the broadcaster's name from its new Disney headquarters just a decade after the network christened its Upper West Side hub The Barbara Walters Building. It was a fitting tribute to the woman who shattered glass ceilings with a perfectly coiffed bob and the sharpest questions. Now, Walters' name has vanished from the marquee as parent company Disney relocated downtown. The new digs are dubbed The Robert A. Iger Building, named after the Disney CEO. To add insult to injury, the plaque with Barbara's name on it is being kept in a box in the new building until execs decide what to do with it, confides a top ABC source: 'It's like she never existed! They replaced a journalism icon with a corporate boss.' Says another insider, 'Barbara build this place. She asked the tough questions, and now we're just supposed to forget her?' No comment yet from Walters' family, but an ex-producer predicts, 'They're not going to be happy.' Solve the daily Crossword
