• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, April 30, 2025

ESPN Sale Could Be Worth $24B To Disney

  • Newly estimated valuation shows further growth for sports media giant
  • ESPN Bet sets definitive debut date of Nov. 14
ESPN microphone on press table
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Even in an age of historic media disruption, cord-cutting, and declining profit, the estimated value of ESPN continues to rise.

Two weeks after a newly released set of financials for the sports media giant prompted a $22 billion valuation for Disney’s sports business, an even higher figure has been tagged to ESPN.

A new research note from Bank of America Global Research said ESPN carries a value of $24 billion and will continue to attract potential investor interest from sports leagues, major technology companies including Apple, and telecommunications powers such as Verizon.

Many of those prospective suitors for an ESPN equity partnership have already been disclosed. But the latest research provides further support for ESPN’s ability to weather crises such as layoffs, industry-wide cord-cutting, carriage battles, and a potential sale of all of Disney’s linear properties.

Still, Bank of America conveyed some concern regarding ESPN.

“ESPN is still a strong business and a premier brand, but it sits at the nexus of possible major business transformation,” the company said. “Transitions have historically proven difficult and typically not conducive to significant growth.”

ESPN Bet Debut

ESPN has also set a definitive debut date of Nov. 14 for ESPN Bet, the new sportsbook it’s developing with PENN Entertainment. The November timing has long been expected, and PENN Entertainment previously said the debut in the middle of the NFL season “is actually great … We’re going to be able to make a lot of noise, get a lot of attention.”

ESPN Bet will be active in time for Thanksgiving weekend, which in most years produces some of the NFL’s most-watched games of the regular season. The sportsbook will initially go live in 17 states, including key markets such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

“SportsCenter” anchor Scott Van Pelt will be a featured figure in a new promotional campaign for ESPN Bet.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

Dwyane Wade, Candace Parker Expected to Join Amazon NBA Coverage

Parker would be a studio analyst for both NBA and WNBA games.

NBA Playoffs TV Ratings Surge, With ESPN on Record Pace

The 11 NBA games that aired on ESPN or ABC averaged 4.45 million viewers.

Will Commanders Get Their Stadium? Public Funding Hangs in Balance

The NFL team will have an uphill battle with skeptical council members.

How DJ Adam Amin Mixes Baseball With Bangers

Amin is one of Fox’s top NFL and MLB voices.

Featured Today

Jun 21, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics majority owner Wyc Grousbeck holds the Larry O’Brien trophy prior to the Boston Celtics championship parade.

The Celtics Succession Plan Remains Murky

The transfer of power to a private-equity group is still unresolved.
April 26, 2025

The Rays Groundskeepers Are Adjusting to Life Outside the Dome

After nearly three decades in a dome, Tampa groundskeepers were forced outside.
April 25, 2025

The Former NBA Agent Who Became a Pickleball Deputy Commissioner

Chris Patrick went from representing Jimmy Butler to pickleball deputy commissioner.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
April 21, 2025

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

The projected No. 1 pick just declared for the draft.

NFL Draft Hits Historic Viewership Highs Thanks to Sanders Saga

Drama around the fall of Shedeur Sanders likely contributes to robust viewership.
April 25, 2025

Goodell: Three NFL Games Every Christmas Moving Forward

The league is returning to scheduling three games on the holiday this season.
April 25, 2025

NFL Draft Round 1 Draws 13.6M Viewers, Second-Highest Ever

With stars staying on the board, viewers tuned in.
Sponsored

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

Portfolio Players is our bi-weekly spotlight on the athletes and investors reshaping the business of sports. This week, venture capitalist Kai Cunningham unpacks why athletes land top deals and how the usual investing rules don’t always apply.
April 25, 2025

Knicks, Rangers to See Big Cut in MSG Networks Media-Rights Fees

The teams will each see big reductions in their local media-rights fees.
April 24, 2025

Comcast Leans On Sports As Revenue Slides and Cord-Cutting Grows

NBC Sports’ rights portfolio remains a company bedrock.
FuboTV signage
April 23, 2025

Disney’s Fubo Takeover Now Faces DOJ Antitrust Review

The deal struck by the ESPN parent company could be in jeopardy.
Multiple streaming services appear on a Roku TV.
April 23, 2025

Roku’s New Plan to Relieve Streaming Headaches

The streaming company introduces new tools to direct fans to games.