A version of this article appeared for the first time in the CNBC Sport newsletter with Alex Sherman, which brings you the biggest news and the exclusive interviews of the worlds of sports and media. Register to receive future editions, directly in your reception box. The NFL concludes an agreement to take a minority stake up to 10% in ESPN, according to people familiar with the issue, potentially linking two brands of power in sport. The discussions are underway, and it is possible that the final agreement can reach a smaller issue, according to the people, which refused to be appointed speaking of non -public transactions. Athletics reported this week discussions on the ESPN years with the NFL were “inside the 5 yards line” towards completion. ESPN has been talking to the NFL for at least two years for the potential sale of the League in the company. ESPN belongs to 80% by Disney and 20% by Hearst. In the current structure of an agreement, ESPN would not take ownership of actions in the NFL, as it did for the first Lacrosse League, according to familiar people. ESPN would have all the NFL Network and NFL Redzone, rather than simply controlling participation, if the agreement progresses as currently built, according to people. But ESPN is not in talks to acquire all the NFL media, the company Umbrella which owns NFL Network, NFL Redzone, NFL Films, NFL.com, the NFL APP and NFL +. On the contrary, ESPN would only acquire some of these assets, while making partnership agreements with others. The spokesperson for ESPN and the NFL refused to comment. ESPN competes with all other media companies for NFL rights. Having the League as a formal equity owner would probably protect ESPN football rights as long as will last. ESPN would also win new content to add to its next Direct Consumer Streaming product, which will cost $ 29.99 per month. The league, on the other hand, concludes a closer relationship with the country’s largest media entity in the country.
