WASHINGTON — The NFL and ESPN are expected to announce an agreement next week under which most of the league's significant media holdings will go to the sports network.
People familiar with the transaction said the multibillion-dollar deal would give the NFL an equity stake in ESPN .
The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized. It was first reported by The Athletic.
The NFL and ESPN had no comment.
The NFL has been trying to sell its media properties for nearly five years. ESPN and the league have been involved in on-again, off-again talks for the past three years.
The proposed move comes as ESPN is expected to soon launch its direct-to-consumer service, likely before the end of August. The service would give cord cutter