Football Fans Detest Blockbuster ESPN-NFL Deal
It's reportedly happening: the ESPN and NFL have struck a deal that involves some of the league's media properties, including RedZone.
According to The Athletic's Andrew Marchand, the two sides have reached an agreement that will give ESPN access to NFL properties like RedZone and NFL Network.
In addition, ESPN will get seven more regular-season games and the NFL's fantasy football business, and the deal gives the network the "potential to integrate special features (including betting) and potentially more assets," Marchand explained.
As part of the deal, the NFL "may receive up to 10 percent of ESPN equity."
The reported deal did not go over well with football fans who are now concerned that RedZone simply won't be the same in ESPN's grasp, especially if there are heavy commercials.
"Can’t wait to see how they ruin RedZone," radio host Alex Barth wrote.
"If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it," fantasy football expert Brad Evans stated. "This is what the fantasy community demands. RedZone in its current state is a perfect product."
"We can't have anything nice. This really sucks," AtoZ Sports' Josh Taylor lamented.
"ESPN will have this ruined in record time," one detractor wrote.
"Oh hell ya! I always thought RedZone was the perfect product. Now we get RedZone with the addition of commercials every 4 minutes! And it’s gonna cost 3X more per year!," one sarcastic comment said
"And to top it all off, we get to be annoyed by Pat McAfee and the Manning’s every week on it! This RULES!"
The deal between ESPN and the NFL could be worth billions, Marchand adds, and an official announcement is expected in the next few weeks.
Marchand notes that the deal is pending regulatory approval, which could take anywhere from nine months to one year to complete.
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