Roger Goodell offered NFL Network employees some departing words as they transitioned to ESPN.
Starting on Wednesday, April 1, the sports broadcaster will take over the NFL Network and RedZone Channel as part of the deal they announced back in August 2025.
As of now, no major changes have been announced, but changes might be expected as the NFL season ramps up.
“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,” read the note Goodell sent to NFL Media employees. “In 2003, we had an idea. Many skeptics doubted there was demand for a network featuring round the clock, yearlong NFL news, information and analysis. But we knew our fans. We knew if we built it, they would come.”
The note 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 — from Total Access, Good Morning Football, and NFL RedZone, to breaking news and live games, including Thursday Night Football. And let’s not forget, along the way you made the NFL Scouting Combine and NFL Schedule Release must-see TV. 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 said that a new chapter began for NFL Media, NFL Network, and many of its employees, adding, “To those remaining with NFL Media to evolve our key fan-facing platforms — from our website, apps and content productions across YouTube, FAST and podcasts, to NFL RedZone — please know how much we appreciate you. You will lead NFL Media into this next chapter. To those heading to ESPN, we offer a heartfelt thank you. 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.”
