Overview
- ESPN assumed control Wednesday, April 1, in a roughly $3 billion deal that gave the NFL a 10% stake and brought NFL Network, NFL Fantasy, and RedZone distribution under ESPN.
- ESPN will drop Monday Night Football doubleheaders for 2026, with seven added games expected to air in international windows instead of overlapping Monday slots.
- The No. 2 booth of Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky, and Louis Riddick is not expected to return in 2026 because overseas assignments would conflict with their college and studio duties.
- Jason Kelce has emerged as a candidate for the analyst role with Kurt Warner also in consideration, and play-by-play options include Dave Pasch, Mike Monaco, and Bob Wischusen, according to reports.
- ESPN is prioritizing a new deal for NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, whose contract expires this spring, and views him and Daniel Jeremiah as potential long-term successors to Adam Schefter and Mel Kiper Jr.