Walt Disney Co. (NYSE:DIS) and the National Football League are in advanced discussions that could result in the NFL taking an equity stake in ESPN.

NFL Eyeing ESPN Stake

Disney and the NFL are considering a groundbreaking deal that would see the NFL acquire an equity stake in ESPN while ESPN assumes control of NFL Media. The potential agreement, reported by the NY Post, indicates that talks between the two entities have progressed significantly, reaching the ears of team owners and the Players Association.

While the idea of ESPN-NFL pact has been talked about previously, talks between the parties have advanced to the point that owners and the Players Association have been informed about the conversations, according the NY Post report.

Content in Focus

NFL Media encompasses vital assets such as the league’s production unit, NFL Films, the NFL Network, and RedZone, NFL+ and NFL.com. This extensive content portfolio presents a goldmine for ESPN, further deepening its position as a sports media powerhouse.

Sources also confirmed to The Atlantic on Saturday about advanced talks between the NFL and ESPN that would give the NFL a stake in the sports network.

Exploring New Partnerships

This news follows from a recent CNBC report in July, revealing that ESPN explored potential partnerships with the National Basketball Association and NFL. These discussions indicate ESPN’s pursuit of innovative business collaborations and investment structures.