Worldwide Leader in Football, ESPN Acquires NFL Network

We previously reported that the NFL and ESPN had discussions on a potential deal in the works. It turns out that ESPN officially is acquiring the NFL Network and other National Football League media assets, including the linear rights to the league’s popular RedZone channel, in a deal that will see the NFL get a 10% equity stake in the all-sports network, it was announced late Tuesday night on of course ESPN.

This is a powerful move as streaming networks move to dominate the rights to sports broadcasting. Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) has lifted its annual adjusted earnings per share guidance, as the media conglomerate’s ESPN sports broadcasting empire said it would launch a new direct-to-consumer streaming service on August 21.