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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addressed ESPN employees in a recorded conversation during their company-wide town-hall meeting Wednesday, sources told Front Office Sports. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro also walked staffers through the details of the NFL equity deal and new WWE rights partnership.
The move has precedent. ESPN has brought in rights partners before to participate in town hall meetings on its corporate campus in Bristol, Conn.
Last week, ESPN announced it was acquiring NFL Network and various other assets, including the trademark for the NFL’s Red Zone branding and the NFL’s fantasy football platform. In return, the NFL will receive a 10% equity stake in ESPN. The NFL’s equity stake in ESPN has been estimated at $2.5 billion.
During the town hall meeting, Goodell expressed excitement about the partnership and the potential for ESPN’s forthcoming direct-to-consumer app, one source said.
There has been chatter in media circles that the relationship would erode ESPN’s journalistic independence. Goodell emphasized to ESPN employees that the league would not get involved in the network’s journalism, a source said.
In addition to Goodell, WWE chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque also communicated with ESPN employees at the town hall via live video conference. Last week, ESPN announced WWE’s premium live events, including WrestleMania, will air live on the direct-to-consumer app beginning in 2026. ESPN’s deal with WWE is reportedly worth $325 million a year.
An ESPN spokesperson declined to comment.
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