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By Pat Evans
ESPN is reportedly shopping the X Games, the extreme sports franchise it started 25 years ago to draw in younger viewers. The 2021 edition begins today in Aspen.
A sale of the X Games would likely bring in approximately $50 million.
ESPN is said to be reassessing which assets it needs in order to keep its cable viewership strong or potentially draw in subscribers to its streaming network ESPN+.
Other live sports networks have recently made moves to strengthen their streaming content:
- NBC is shutting down cable network NBCSN, transitioning sports content to its other cable networks and its streaming service Peacock.
- FuboTV recently acquired the sportsbook Vigtory as it looks to bolster its sports betting offerings.
ESPN’s remains a cash cow for Disney, but the Mouse has committed $40 billion to sports content over the next few years and needs to ensure a continued return on investment.
If it doesn’t, there is speculation Disney could shed ESPN as cable continues its decline.
