• Loading stock data...
Friday, June 6, 2025

ESPN Nears Draft Rights Extension Amid NFL-Disney Talks

Every edition of the NFL Draft has been broadcast by ESPN, even when other networks have been involved. The league is close to extending with its longtime partner.

Green Bay Press-Gazette

When commissioner Roger Goodell does what many draft pundits expect and announces that the Titans have selected Cam Ward with the No. 1 pick on Thursday night, ESPN will be leading NFL Draft TV coverage for the 46th consecutive year.

However, a 47th year of ESPN televising the draft is not yet fully guaranteed, as the NFL has not yet signed media rights for the 2026 edition of the event and beyond.

Despite the uncertainty, sources tell Front Office Sports that ESPN is confident this is not the last time it will be covering the NFL Draft, and that it’s close to an extension to retain rights after this week’s showcase. That’s in line with multiple other reports on the topic that emerged this week.

NFL Network is also expected to retain its draft rights, sources say. This comes as the NFL remains in talks with Disney about an equity deal that would see ESPN take over operations of some league-owned media assets like NFL Network.

Additionally, YouTube is in pole position to pick up international streaming rights, sources say. Netflix previously declined to bid on draft rights, sources told FOS, although the streamer has since been keeping its options open. 

The More the Merrier

The NFL has always been a proponent of a multipronged draft TV strategy. 

NFL Network has broadcast its own draft coverage since 2006, less than three years after the league-owned cable channel launched. In 2018, NFL Network produced a joint feed with Fox that was simulcast on both channels.

Once again, on Thursday night, ESPN is just one of many places to watch the first round, though. ABC and NFL Network also have broadcasts, and ESPN Deportes has Spanish-language coverage. 

Meanwhile, The Pat McAfee Show Draft Spectacular will stream live from Green Bay after ESPN’s $85 million man initially said his draft special would broadcast remotely from its studio in Indianapolis due to a beef with the NFL around the Scouting Combine. ESPN+, the ESPN app, YouTube, and TikTok will all carry McAfee’s draft coverage.

Ratings Report

In 2024, complete seven-round NFL Draft TV ratings across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and NFL Network dropped slightly to an average of 5.9 million viewers (down from 6 million in 2023), despite 12.1 million viewers tuning in to Round 1 coverage, as a record six quarterbacks were selected on the first night of the draft.

This year, after Ward at No. 1, opinions among draft experts vary on how many other quarterbacks could be taken Thursday night. Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Ole Miss signal-caller Jaxson Dart are the next two biggest names.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NiJaree Canady

Stacked Texas Tech NIL Roster Now a Win Away From Softball Title

The Red Raiders have a winning formula with NIL and recruiting.
ESPN has not let NBA Countdown “marinate” as talent changes too frequently, ex-host Michelle Beadle tells FOS.
breaking

SiriusXM Parts Ways With Michelle Beadle, Cody Decker

Beadle, Decker exit three months before Stephen A. Smith takes their slot.
Tony Clark

Everything You Need to Know About the MLBPA-OneTeam FBI Investigation

Money from lucrative group licensing deals is under federal scrutiny.
Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers Finally Agrees to Deal With Steelers

The one-year deal is reportedly set to be signed Friday.

Featured Today

May 27, 2015; Paris, France; Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) knocks the clay off her shoe during her match against Simona Halep (ROU) on day four of the French Open at Roland Garros

Roland-Garros’s Iconic Red-Clay Surface Is a Precise Alchemy

The exact science behind maintaining the French Open’s red clay.
Alex Jensen introductory press conference on Monday, March 17, 2025.
June 3, 2025

Alex Jensen Started Utah Utes HC Job While Still Coaching the Mavs

How Jensen began building an NCAA program while patrolling the Dallas sideline.
May 31, 2025

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.
May 30, 2025

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
exclusive

Layoffs Hit The Ringer, Spotify

About 15 employees lost their jobs this week.
exclusive
June 4, 2025

Michelle Beadle on Losing SiriusXM Slot to Stephen A. Smith: ‘I Don’t..

Smith will host a weekday show in Beadle’s former spot, as well as a weekly show.
June 5, 2025

Vanessa Richardson on ESPN’s ‘Hoop Streams,’ NBA Finals, Caitlin Clark

“We’re not trying to be ‘NBA Countdown.’ We’re trying to be a good hang,” Richardson said.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
May 1, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Stephen A. Smith attends game six of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome.
June 4, 2025

Stephen A. Smith Political Pivot Continues With Non-Sports Sirius Show

One of the busiest men in sports media gets even busier.
June 3, 2025

MLB TV Ratings Jump: Fox Up 10%, ESPN Hits Eight-Year High

Each of the league’s national rights holders is posting audience gains.
June 3, 2025

NBA Playoff Ratings Up 3%, Pacers-Knicks G6 Sets Postseason High

The Thunder and Pacers face off in the NBA Finals starting Thursday.
exclusive
June 3, 2025

Jackie Redmond on Absurd Travel Between NHL Playoffs, WWE

Redmond covered four events in six nights across the continent.