In early 2026, ESPN finalized a landmark $3 billion deal to acquire NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and NFL Fantasy Football from the NFL. As ESPN takes control of NFL Network, the transition marks the end of an era. For longtime face Rich Eisen, the moment is especially touching as his message expressed gratitude, pride, and a little bit of sadness.

‘It’s an emotional day for many of us, as there are a lot of people at NFL Network wondering what comes next.” Eisen said on The Rich Eisen Show, “At the same time, it marks the end of an era, 23 years of building and growing this network on behalf of the NFL. It feels strange knowing I won’t be employed by the Shield anymore, because it has been such a core part of my DNA. Being there for the NFL and feeling like I was at the forefront of something so important has meant everything to me.”

ESPN now officially owns NFL Network and other league digital assets after getting approval from government regulators for the multi-billion-dollar deal. The official transition of NFL Media assets was underway on Wednesday, March 31, 2026.

Eisen has been with the NFL Network since 2003. His work involved hosting pre-game, halftime, and post-game shows. He even filled in as a play-by-play announcer on multiple occasions.

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Eisen has created his own niche with The Rich Eisen Show, a daily radio show and podcast. The podcast was also nominated for the prestigious Outstanding Studio Show Sports Emmy in 2022.

For his part, Eisen doesn’t see the takeover as the end of his work; he sees this as the beginning of an even bigger stage.

“I feel like we’re being dropped off at college,” Eisen said. “We are grown, we are mature, and we’re still growing.”

However, ESPN will still keep Rich Eisen as host for the NFL Network’s draft coverage following the takeover. This means the show will be aired, featuring Eisen, and not canceled.

“There’s still lots to do,” he said. “It’s an exciting new world, and there is a way for our body of work to be expanded. Our minds to be expanded. There’s ways to explore new worlds with obviously, the leader in sports.”

As part of the deal, ESPN will now own NFL Network, NFL Fantasy, and has the right to distribute the RedZone channel to cable and satellite services. In turn, the NFL gets a 10% equity stake in ESPN.

The league will still hold on to several of its core media properties, including NFL.com, the official websites of all 32 teams, NFL Films, NFL+, the NFL Podcast Network, and the NFL FAST Channel.

As for the viewers, things will look mostly the same for now, even under a new ownership. Any noticeable changes will be rolled out in April, when NFL Media employees will officially join ESPN.

Rich Eisen wasn’t alone in saying goodbye in the moment. Roger Goodell also shared a message to his NFL Network employees, offering his thanks and acknowledging their role as they move into this next chapter with ESPN.

Roger Goodell praises the NFL Network staff amid ESPN takeover

As of Wednesday, April 1, ESPN officially took over NFL Network and NFL RedZone as part of the deal announced in August 2025.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell personally thanked NFL Network employees, sharing a heartfelt message expressing gratitude and highlighting their role in everything over the past two decades.

“With a new league year upon us, we wanted to take a moment to recognize the members of our NFL family who will be transitioning to ESPN as part of the sale completed earlier this year,” Goodell continued. “The team at NFL Network has accomplished something remarkable over the past two decades. A home for the best content in all of sports. It is no surprise that the fruits of your labor would be attractive to an industry leader like ESPN as they look to serve the insatiable appetites of NFL fans.”

Goodell specifically mentioned that at the start, when the NFL Network was launched in 2003, many questioned the need for 24/7 NFL coverage, but the league trusted its fans. He appreciated the team’s incredible journey over the past two decades, noting that their success is what made the network an attractive asset for ESPN.

Goodell also extended his gratitude to the former employees who will be staying under ESPN’s contract.

“To those heading to ESPN, we offer a heartfelt thank you.” Roger’s message read. “We have no doubt that you will continue to drive unparalleled coverage of the NFL. And whether you are transitioning or staying, each of you will keep contributing to our greater football story, building on the relationships, sacrifice, and teamwork that made this moment possible.”

In many ways, this is just the beginning of a new chapter for how the NFL is covered.