Democratic senators, led by Elizabeth Warren, have sent a letter to top executives of the media and entertainment giant Disney (NYSE:DIS), raising concerns that the recent deals by ESPN with the NFL and the NHL could restrict competition and raise prices for sports fans.
ESPN in August reached a deal with the NFL for its media assets, including NFL Network, the NFL’s linear RedZone Channel, and NFL Fantasy—in exchange for a 10% stake in the Disney-owned sports network. It also struck a $1.65B three-year deal with Major League Baseball, under which it would incorporate MLB.TV into its new direct-to-consumer streaming service.
Warren, along with senators Bernie Sanders, Joaquin Castro, and Patrick Ryan, said in the letter that “ESPN’s deals with the NFL and the MLB would give the sports media giant new degrees of control…for two of the most profitable sports leagues in the country. We have serious concerns that fans and competitors will suffer as a result.”
The lawmakers have asked the executives to get back with their queries by October 8, 2025.