NFL Redzone fans raise concerns despite much-loved host’s cryptic message as billion dollar ESPN deal takes fresh twist
ESPN has reportedly reached a deal with the NFL to obtain it’s hugely popular RedZone show and other league holdings.
The Athletic reported on Friday, August 1, that the league will receive equity in the network that is ‘potentially worth billions’ in exchange.
An official announcement is expected in the coming weeks, which would signal the end a four-year period of on-and-off negotiations between the two parties.
In addition to RedZone, ESPN will reportedly gain access to NFL Network and seven more regular-season games, as well as the league’s fantasy football operations and the potential to integrate sports betting and other features.
The NFL’s equity stake could be as much as 10%, according to a report from CNBC that has also been confirmed by The Athletic.
Any deal would require regulatory approval, a process that could take nine months to a year to complete.
Scott Hanson, the much-loved RedZone host who has lead fans into the ‘witching hour’ for the past 15 years, appeared to reference the news with a one-word post on social media.
“Onward!” he wrote on X, soon after The Athletic’s report was published.
Hanson confirmed his own RedZone future amid exit rumors earlier this year.
Fans share worries over ESPN’s deal with the NFL
While his cryptic message seemed to indicate excitement over the ESPN deal, many NFL fans were quick to share their concerns about what could soon change.
RedZone has built a major following on providing ‘whip around coverage’ of every touchdown from every game in the early and late Sunday windows, boasting ‘seven hours of commercial-free football’.
However, many fans are worried that ESPN will threaten that.
“Let’s goooo! Now I can see RedZone with ads like I always wanted,” one joked.
“RIP RedZone. Deep down, I always knew you were too good to be true,” another said.
“Seven hours of football-free commercials starts now!” a third joked.
“Please, sweet Jesus, don’t let them get the likes of Stephen A. Smith and Pat McAfee involved in this (they probably will),” a fourth predicted.
Other fans, meanwhile, pointed out potential issues with the NFL taking equity in ESPN as part of the deal.
“The NFL having equity in ESPN, which runs an online sportsbook, seems like it could be a conflict of interest. But what do I know?” one person asked.
“Incredible conflict of interest here, not to mention probably a price hike or we’ll have to kick up to ESPN plus,” another said.
“The NFL being a part-owner of ESPN is a conflict of interest nightmare,” a third said.
Fresh twist emerges in ESPN-NFL deal
While initial reports were met with plenty of backlash, Front Office Sports has claimed the ESPN-NFL deal might have to contend with a ‘wild card’ — Donald Trump.
Michael McCarthy wrote on Saturday that there is growing concern the US President could ‘seek to delay or block’ the long-awaited deal.
“What if Trump decides to stick his beak in?” one source told FOS.
“This is a massive deal. It will require government oversight and approval. And we all know how Trump likes to poke the NFL from time to time.”
Worries over the president’s involvement appear to be justified, given he recently hinted at blocking the Washington Commanders from moving back to D.C.
Despite those threats, the D.C. Council paved the way for the franchise to return to the district on Friday.
Trump has also feuded with the NFL and Disney (which owns ESPN under the Walt Disney Company) in recent years, but another source told FOS that fears were overblown.
“I suspect (the NFL and Disney) wouldn’t announce it if they were really worried about it,” they told the outlet.
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While at least one insider moved quickly to play down the risk of Trump derailing the blockbuster deal, for many NFL fans, the threat of ESPN ruining RedZone feels all too real.
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