The NFL is nearing a deal to acquire a minority stake in US sports network ESPN.
NBC reported Thursday that the sports body could take up to 10% in the business.
Talks have been in train for some time and it remains possible that NFL might eventually take a stake of less than 10%.
Earlier this week it was reported by The Athletic that the talks were “inside the 5-yard line”.
Negotiations between the two sides have been underway for at least two years. ESPN is currently 80% owned by Disney and 20% by Hearst.
Unlike ESPN’s recent equity deal with the Premier Lacrosse League, the NFL would not receive ownership in ESPN in this arrangement. However, ESPN would gain full ownership of NFL Network and NFL RedZone under the current framework, rather than just a controlling interest.
The deal does not include a full acquisition of NFL Media, which also encompasses NFL Films, NFL.com, the NFL app, and NFL+. Instead, ESPN is expected to acquire select assets, with potential partnerships for the rest.
Representatives for both ESPN and the NFL have not commented.
