ESPN in partnership talks with Amazon, could become most expensive sports streamer

ESPN is in talks with another tech giant as The Walt Disney Co.  (DIS) - Get Free Report continues to search for a strategic partner for its sports network.

Amazon  (AMZN) - Get Free Report is in early discussions with ESPN, specifically about working on the company’s move to streaming, distribution, and even taking a minority stake in the company, according to a report by The Information.

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Amazon joins a large list of companies that ESPN has reportedly been in talks with, including from sports leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB, and other tech giants like Apple and Verizon.

Disney CEO Bob Iger and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro have both stated publicly that it’s no question that the sports network will move to streaming, and it’s just a matter of when the time will be. The expectation according to previous reports is that the company will make the move in 2025 or 2026.

Amazon has been aggressively pursuing live sports through partnerships with the NFL for “Thursday Night Football,” the WNBA, and European soccer. They are also reportedly pursuing a package to acquire broadcasting rights for NASCAR, and should be a suitor for the NBA’s next media rights deal starting in 2025.

More ESPN:

• ESPN officially announces overhaul to its broadcasting lineup for NBA coverage
• ESPN is exploring a unique partnership with NBA and NFL, report says
• ESPN dives deeper into sports betting through landmark partnership

The Information’s report on ESPN also reports that the company may charge a premium for its streaming service, somewhere in the price range of $20 to $35 per month, which could make it one of the most expensive streaming platforms in all of sports.

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