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Time of India
23-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ESPN set for massive $2 billion takeover of NFL RedZone and NFL Network
ESPN set for massive $2 billion takeover of NFL RedZone and NFL Network (Image via Getty) ESPN is close to making a huge move. According to The New York Times via social media on July 23, 2025, ESPN is aiming to buy NFL RedZone and NFL Network in a deal worth over $2 billion. The news came out today and it's a big surprise. So far, ESPN and the NFL have not officially said it's done. But insiders say talks are very serious. ESPN set to acquire NFL RedZone and NFL Network in $2 billion deal On July 22 and 23, sources from Front Office Sports, The Athletic, and BroBible said that ESPN and NFL owners are ready to vote soon. They say the deal feels like it's 'inside the five‑yard line,' meaning almost done. The plan is for NFL owners to possibly vote in early August. If they say yes, ESPN would take control of NFL Network, the NFL RedZone show, and even some regular‑season games that aired on the NFL's own channel. The NFL might also get some ownership in ESPN in exchange, creating a deeper partnership with Disney, ESPN's parent company. Scott Hanson confirms NFL RedZone return amid ESPN takeover talks Scott Hanson, who has hosted NFL RedZone since 2009, renewed his contract for another season with NFL Network in May 2025. He faced tough talks, calling them 'knock‑down, drag‑out negotiations' and admitted he almost left for NBC's Olympic coverage. But he's back, and RedZone returns on Sunday, September 7, 2025. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Online USA MBA Courses Might Surprise You MBA Courses in USA | Search Ads Undo Also Read: ESPN viewership soars as it targets $2B NFL media deal and major streaming debut Hanson said on SI Media Podcast: 'There was quite a knockdown drag‑out negotiation, but I'm thrilled to be back.' The Athletic's Andrew Marchand said on July 23 that the deal would be 'enormous,' valued at around $2 billion. He noted the NFL owners have been informed they might vote on it 'early next month.' Some worry ESPN will add ads or change RedZone's format. A TalkSport story said fans fear commercials could appear on RedZone, which has been mostly ad‑free. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
New York Post
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Scott Hanson's ‘NFL RedZone' contract talks were ‘a knockdown drag-out negotiation'
'Seven hours of commercial-free football' nearly had a different voice for next season. Scott Hanson, the host of 'NFL RedZone,' questioned if he would return to his role before signing an extension to return for a 17th year. 'There was a time when I thought 'I don't know if this is going to happen,'' Hanson said on the 'SI Media Podcast with Jimmy Traina' this week. 'It was not my intention to have it go that direction. But you have to be willing for that eventuality or that possibility.' Advertisement 3 Scott Hanson at Super Bowl LI AP While Hanson did not share the financial details of his new contract, he confirmed that his extension will have him be the face of NFL Network's 'RedZone,' in which he shows live look-ins and every touchdown for seven-plus straight hours on Sundays though at least his 20th season. The negotiations weren't easy, though, with Hanson likening himself to an NFL free agent who wants to stay with his current team even as other landing spots see his true value. Advertisement 'The NFL, as they wont to do, they are very tough negotiators,' Hanson said. 'There was quite a knockdown drag-out negotiation, but I'm thrilled to be back. Thrilled that we were able to come to an agreement.' There was speculation Hanson was considering leaving for NBC after his Olympics whiparound show, 'GoldZone.' 3 Scott Hanson signing off the air of RedZone in 2017. NFL Hanson put those rumors to bed. Advertisement 'My contract was up, that was reported in public. It was coming up, and we were negotiating. That was true,' he said, 'There was a feel I was going to leave for NBC. Well, it was conflated with what I did with GoldZone for the Paris Olympics last summer, and the fact that I was and we were in the middle of a negotiation with NBC to come back and do future GoldZones. I think some people got part of the truth and reported that NBC was going to pull Scott Hanson away.' 3 NFL Network's Scott Hanson NFL Instead, he'll be back to his Sunday touchdown marathons on 'RedZone,' with a new season beginning on Sept. 7.
New York Post
09-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Fox makes major NFL decision with Erin Andrews, Charissa Thompson deals
Fox Sports has locked down two of its top on-air personalities, sideline reporter Erin Andrews and host Charissa Thompson, Front Office Sports reported Tuesday. Andrews and Thompson, whose respective contracts expired after the 2024-25 season, will receive lucrative extensions before the start of the next NFL campaign. The report did not reveal details of the new deals. Advertisement 5 Charissa Thompson and Erin Andrews covering Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, as the 2025 game was aired on Fox on February 9. Instagram/Charissa Thompson Andrews, 47, and Thompson, 43, who are best friends outside of Fox and co-host the 'Calm Down' podcast together, have yet to publicly address the contract news. Fox hinted that Andrews would be back after including her in the 2025 regular season-game schedule in May, which included an image of the veteran reporter along with the network's NFL broadcast crew of analyst Tom Brady, play-by-play man Kevin Burkhardt and reporter Tom Rinaldi. Advertisement 5 Fox Sports reporter Erin Andrews broadcasts from the sidelines prior to the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. Getty Images Andrews and Brady represented the network that month at the 2025 Fox Upfronts. The Wear by EA founder previously 'quietly' re-signed with Fox on a three-year deal, she revealed on the SI Media Podcast in July 2022. 5 Tom Brady and Erin Andrews during the FOX UPFRONT '25 presentation on Monday, May 12, 2025. Ben Hider/PictureGroup for FOX/Shutterstock Advertisement As for Thompson? She made it clear that she wanted to stay put at Fox while the pair discussed covering Super Bowl 2025, which aired on Fox in February, during a February episode of their podcast. In April, Thompson addressed 'fake headlines' about her leaving Fox. 'No, I am not leaving Fox. I was never leaving Fox,' she said on the 'Calm Down' podcast. 'I don't know where this took on a life, whereas I was hosting my family here at the ranch this past weekend, four of my family members asked, 'Well the place looks nice, but how are you going to afford it now that you don't have a job?' 5 Charissa Thompson hosting the 'TNF on Prime' pregame show prior to an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 12, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. Getty Images Advertisement 'I'm like, 'Why is this headline out here?' It's crazy … I wouldn't normally address this … but I was never leaving Fox. I'm not fired … I hope I die at [Fox]. As I always talk about, Fox is my longest relationship. I have worked there since I was what, 22 years old starting in the HR department. So yes, I love Fox, I will hopefully end my career there in a long, long time. But anyways, it's not ending anytime soon. That's a fake headline.' Thompson hosts the 'Fox NFL Kickoff' show and a number of NFL Films spots for Fox. She also hosts Amazon Prime Video's 'Thursday Night Football' pregame show. 5 Charissa Thompson and Erin Andrews during an interview on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' on May 23, 2024. Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Image Andrews and Thompson often discuss how close they are with their Fox co-workers and how they believe it is a family environment.
