The potential ‘wild card’ in the NFL, ESPN media deal
Irwin Kishner, co-chair of Herrick's Sports Law Group and co-chair of Herrick's Corporate Department, spoke to The Hill about the deal between ESPN and the NFL that would clear the way for the sports network to purchase several of the league's top media assets and the potential hurdles the deal could face from the administration.
The article notes that Disney, the parent company of ESPN, is investing heavily in streaming, reporting that the "company plans to launch a new ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming platform, and its deal to acquire the NFL’s 'RedZone' brand and other broadcast assets is being widely seen as Disney’s biggest bet yet that increased pro football coverage will lure new subscribers." The deal is expected to require approval from the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission due to the 10 percent stake in ESPN that the NFL is set to receive, causing "Trump to loom largely over the deal." Several conservative pundits and operatives have "have suggested the president should use the proposed deal between ESPN and the NFL as leverage over both sides."
Irwin called Disney’s deal with the NFL a “defensive move” against Silicon Valley and predicted Trump throwing up a roadblock to the deal would be a major setback for the company.
“Professional sports programming is the most valuable content you can have,” Irwin said. “For traditional media companies, who also provide news coverage and other content, there are always many factors going into deals like this. So, it’s a balancing act when it comes to dealing with this or any administration.”
Read the full article in The Hill here. Access may require a subscription.