A version of this article first appeared in the CNBC Sport Newslator with Alex Sharman, which brings you the biggest news and exclusive interview from the world of sports business and media. Sign up to get future versions, directly on your inbox. NFL is closing on a deal to take a minority stake of up to 10% in ESPN, according to those familiar with the case, potentially tie two powerhouse brands together in the game. Discussion is going on, and it is possible that the final deal could come on a small stake, according to people, who refused to speak about the non -paper deal. The athletic discussed ESPN with NFL this week, discussing with NFL “inside the 5-yard line”. The ESPN has been talking to NFL for at least two years about selling a stake to the league in the company. The ESPN is 80% by Disney ownership and 20% by Hurst. Under the current structure of a deal, ESPN would not take equity ownership in NFL, such as it was only for the Premier Lacros League, which was according to the people. ESPN will be the owner of all of NFL Network and NFL Redzone instead of a controlled stake, if the deal currently moves forward according to construction, according to the people. But ESPN NFL is not interacting to acquire all the umbrellas company owned by NFL Media, NFL Network, NFL Redzone, NFL Films, NFL.com, NFL App and NFL+. Instead, ESPN will only acquire some of those assets, while potentially performs partnership with others. Spokesmen from ESPN and NFL refused to comment. ESPN NFL competes with every other media company for rights. Being a league as a formal equity owner will probably protect the football rights of ESPN, until ownership. ESPN will also get new content to add to its upcoming direct-to-conjumer streaming product, which will cost $ 29.99 per month. Meanwhile, the league acquires close ties with the largest all-spoken media unit in the country.
