ESPN will continue with Disney despite speculation about a change in strategy.

ESPN and NFL Reach New Media Deal

On Tuesday, ESPN and the NFL announced a new agreement allowing ESPN access to various media assets, including the NFL Network, while the NFL will maintain a 10% share in the network.

In related news, it seems the Walt Disney Company is stepping back from the idea of spinning off ESPN. This move puts to rest long-term speculation that an independent sports network would help bolster Disney’s struggling cable business.

This choice marks one of the initial significant decisions made under CEO Josh D’Amaro, who stepped in earlier this year. A source mentioned that the intention is to keep ESPN within the overarching Disney structure, which could assist in shifting towards a streaming model.

However, this decision isn’t set in stone. Reports indicate that while D’Amaro doesn’t foresee a spinoff in the near future, he might reassess options as circumstances develop.

New ESPN Streaming Service

Additionally, there’s talk of Disney potentially bringing in a strategic partner with a minority stake, similar to last year’s sale of a 10% interest in ESPN to the NFL. This recent announcement effectively quashes rumors that began in 2015 when former CEO Bob Iger revealed that ESPN was experiencing a loss of subscribers.

The ongoing trend of cable-cutting is causing upheaval in the industry as viewers become more discerning with their spending, raising doubts about how these dynamics influence Disney’s overall value.

Business Insider noted that retaining ESPN as part of Disney might ultimately put it in a stronger position to pivot to streaming effectively.

In August 2025, ESPN became available outside of traditional cable bundles for the very first time, a significant shift for sports fans who had previously been tethered to costly packages that included many unwanted channels.

Going forward, Disney will continue to offer ESPN through various platforms, covering traditional cable packages starting around $75 per month, streaming services paired with Hulu and Disney+ from about $35.99 monthly, and direct-to-consumer options starting at $299.99 annually.

Disney’s sports division, led by ESPN, brought in approximately $17.7 billion last year, which represented nearly 19% of Disney’s total revenue of $94.4 billion.