The NFL was just as surprised as everyone else when two of its partners, ESPN and Fox, launched a sports-focused skinny bundle with WBD.
The venture, announced last week, will combine all networks and broadcast live sports from the three companies into a streaming bundle.
Puck’s John Woolland reports. The NFL was “blindsided” by the announcement. The announcement came just hours after ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro spoke by phone with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Chief Business Officer Brian Rolup.
The report added that the NFL is considering denial of service.
“Almost immediately, the NFL had its lawyers review the contracts with ESPN and FOX to see if the media companies were within their legal rights to launch such services,” the report said. .
“Unfortunately, an initial review suggested that the league could do nothing to prevent new streamers from playing games.”
Making matters worse, the Post previously reported that ESPN is in talks to sell a stake in its network to the NFL and take over management of the NFL Network in the process.
The NFL wasn’t the only league in the dark about the launch of streaming bundles.
On Wednesday, Pat McAfee was interviewing NBA commissioner Adam Silver on ESPN, and the host said he didn’t know this announcement was coming.
“Neither did I,” Silver interjected.
“It’s no secret about that. This is a joint venture between the three companies, and I don’t think they’re claiming they told the league that in advance.”
The NBA’s only rights partners at this time are ESPN/ABC and WBD’s TNT.
Despite this, the NBA seemed less organizationally upset about the new skinny bundle than the NFL.
“While we look forward to learning more about this new venture, we are encouraged by the opportunity to make premier sports content more accessible to fans who do not subscribe to traditional cable or satellite bundles,” the NBA said in a statement last week. ” he said. .
