ESPN's latest deal with the NFL could have ripple effects well beyond professional football.
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As part of a sweeping agreement revealed on Thursday, ESPN has acquired NFL Network and the rights to the NFL's RedZone brand. While the move solidifies ESPN's already robust football portfolio, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell hinted at broader implications during an appearance Wednesday on SportsCenter.
"ESPN purchased the RedZone name, and they will be able to utilize that for other sports — college football and other things," Goodell said, via Larry Brown Sports. "I think that could be an exciting thing for our fans also, to see a RedZone maybe in college football or other sports. That's something they now own and have the ability to do."
ESPN has not announced any immediate plans to expand RedZone's whip-around, commercial-free format beyond the NFL. But the possibility has quickly generated buzz, especially among college football fans who routinely navigate dozens of simultaneous Saturday matchups.
With the sheer volume of games each weekend, a college football RedZone could help viewers keep up with scoring plays, upsets, and late-game drama that might otherwise fly under the radar. The format's ability to jump between live moments has made it a Sunday staple for NFL fans since its debut in 2009.
The broader acquisition of NFL Media is expected to bring changes across ESPN platforms, but the idea of applying RedZone's real-time viewing model to other sports may be among the most intriguing from a fan perspective.
For now, ESPN holds the rights. What they do with them remains to be seen.
