ESPN Kicks Off Increased NFL Preseason Presence After Equity Deal
The ESPN app has 12 out-of-market preseason broadcasts.
ESPN is ramping up its NFL preseason coverage this year following a significant equity agreement finalized this spring. Although ESPN will still air just one national game telecast this month via its flagship channel, the ESPN app now offers 12 out-of-market preseason broadcasts, a jump from five last year. In addition, the NFL Network, which ESPN acquired on April 1, provides an additional 19 out-of-market games between Thursday and August 29.
The ESPN app's direct-to-consumer product, ESPN Unlimited, grants subscribers access to all 31 out-of-market games for the duration of the preseason. This expansion has been made possible by the NFL's 10% equity stake in ESPN, which it received in exchange for Disney acquiring NFL Network and securing the rights to distribute NFL RedZone to pay television operators. While NFL RedZone will remain under the league's ownership and operation, ESPN has introduced a new partnership for the upcoming season.
ESPN's increased preseason presence has also impacted NFL+, the league-owned streaming app launched in 2022, which will continue to broadcast all out-of-market preseason games in real-time. However, it is worth noting that these broadcasts will feature the home team's announcers, as opposed to the traditional ESPN coverage. The extent of ESPN's preseason game portfolio for next year remains uncertain.
The equity deal also led to the discontinuation of Monday Night Football doubleheaders on ESPN and ABC. Overall, ESPN networks will air a record 29 NFL games this year, including NFL Network's five exclusive international regular season games. This year marks ESPN's first Super Bowl broadcast.
Written by urgent.news from Front Office Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
