NFL reportedly in advanced talks with ESPN to buy stake in sports network

Per the report, a partnership would include ESPN taking control of NFL Media, which includes NFL.com, NFL Network and Red Zone. The league would in turn take an equity stake in ESPN. Such a scenario would raise questions about ESPN's ability to cover a league that has an ownership stake in the network. How would ESPN cover a news story that sheds a critical light on the NFL?

This will be nothing but bad for the NFL. Somehow they'll manage to make a woke ****show of even The Red Zone. I stopped watching ESPN years ago.

NFL reportedly in advanced talks with ESPN to buy stake in sports network (yahoo.com)

 

Given how ESPN has continually been drained of talent ever since reporters like Rachel Nicols, Skip Bayless and others have left, desperate times call for desperate measures it appears. Pat McAfee, Mina Kimes, Matt Miller and Jordan Reid have been great but those aren't enough. Hell, the only major remaining draw currently is Stephen A Smith... and the most noteworthy part of this is that ESPN knows it. Why else would they sign him to such a lucrative extension?


This aspect here though is telling;


"Such a scenario would raise questions about ESPN's ability to cover a league that has an ownership stake in the network. How would ESPN cover a news story that sheds a critical light on the NFL?"


Given how ESPNs overall logistics are not only all over the place with near constant misinformation along with the up to the minute updates that they often blunder, this is further adding up into an absolute logistical nightmare. This though isn't even on the top echelon of concerns that I would have currently.


NFL.com?! Really?! Lance Zuerlien, Judy Battista, Bill Barnwell, Ian Rapoport, Andy Benoit and Gregg Rosenthal. That is, more or less of what you have over there.

 

OP is a snowflake

 

ESPN has done this several times, 'this' being having people develop, grow in popularity, get contracts, then the network overspends on different packages and lays off a ton of people. Probably nothing new in most any industry, but remember when they started, covering things like BMX bike jumps, and most anything they could get to cover a 24 hour feed. The contracts they have now in college sports, NBA, etc. cover a lot of ground, but the media landscape has shifted dramatically, not sure how it all plays out, but the ultimate goal of Goodell and company is expanding the NFL internationally, thats the goal, and of course expanding billionaires bottom lines as well..lol.

 

I thought ESPN was on the verge of collapse when they let most of their high priced talent walk. I am not surprised that Disney is letting the NFL buy out part of ESPN as another cost saving measure.

For me, I watch more Sports segments on YouTube than I do ESPN anymore.


From June 30th, 2023
https://www.latimes.com/entertainme...espn-layoffs-disney-jeff-van-gundy-jalen-rose
ESPN on Friday laid off roughly 20 high-profile commentators, including former New York Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy and former NBA player Jalen Rose.

The layoffs were part of a larger effort at Walt Disney Co. to cut costs, as studios and media outlets face mounting financial pressures to boost profits and reduce debt loads in an uncertain economy.

 

Keep in mind though that Goodell isn't entirely the sole reason. Mind you that the Owners pay his salary to be both their mouthpiece and mear shield.... should the time ever call upon it. The Owners are the ones who are orchestrating these sets of events.


This all said, the NFLs inability to adapt to change quickly is what is currently preventing it from breaking out in other markets. As much as I hate to say it, other sports like the NBA, NHL and even ones that others wouldn't expect like Cricket or LaCrosse have either a superior or far superior overseas draw than the NFL.


Expanding a business to compete in newer emerging markets has a lot more with the advertisement of that product than just the product itself. If the product itself cannot draw attention... no matter how exciting it is, it will never catch on with the mass populous. Hell, just this year became the first time that the NFL saw major media success with their International Series; breaking 20 Million in viewership this season. Here in lies the kicker; the biggest draw was the Chiefs against the Dolphins with over 9 Million viewers; this game being the most watched ever. Conclusion?!



Recall what I stated about change earlier?! If the League wants to rapidly expand across the globe for more success, clear and present is the advertisement of the product. What is the most sure fire method to begin to entice viewers?! Feature the best teams.

 

I think the other sports draw also is reflective of how those sports developed in the other continents/countries. Baseball continues to be popular here, but the average viewer age is (or was) the highest of all major sports. But the influx of players from Mexico and countries south of there, the Caribbean, and the popularity in the Asian market brings viable opportunities. The NBA as well, with some of the main super stars coming from europe and its BB's popularity around the world again make marketing more feasible. The idea of eventually putting a team. even division in europe, that has been suggested is possible, but to sustain it laon term is quite another.