Will Skydance Media Buy the NFL?
By Movieguide® Contributor
Skydance Media is reportedly in talks to buy the NFL after a deal with ESPN fell through earlier this year.
Bloomberg reported that the NFL is discussing a potential purchase with “David Ellison’s Skydance Media and one of his major investors, RedBird Capital Partners, that could result in some of the league’s media assets changing hands, according to people familiar with the conversations.”
“The talks could include a sale of NFL Media and its NFL Network cable channel, or an acquisition by Paramount Global of the league’s interest in Skydance Sports, a joint venture that produces movies and TV shows, according to the people, who asked to not be identified because the discussions are private,” the outlet continued.
MSN elaborated on the potential for Paramount Global buying out the NFL’s stake in Skydance Sports, explaining that “the league bought a $45 million interest in Skydance Sports in 2022, and together the two produced HARD KNOCKS: OFFSEASON featuring the New York Giants, among other projects,” so there’s already precedent for a partnership.
Many in the industry are surprised by the talks between the NFL and Skydance, as the deal between the League and ESPN was considered “all but signed,” according to NBC Sports.
This isn’t the only major acquisition Skydance has recently made. Movieguide® previously reported:
Skydance Media’s acquisition of Paramount was approved on Sunday; the companies have since revealed their vision for a shared future.
The largest immediate impact that would come from the merger would be a $1.5 billion cash infusion to help the struggling studio stabilize, allowing top talent and creatives to feel comfortable signing onto new projects from the studio. Luring these high-quality individuals sits at the center of the company’s plan for the future.
“[Paramount] will be a premier, creative-first destination for storytellers, dedicated to top-quality content and will be positioned to improve profitability, foster stability and independence for creators, and enable more investment in growth areas,” the companies said.
While building on the longstanding legacy of Paramount, Skydance will look to incorporate its specialty as well, helping the company overhaul its technology to become an industry leader in the space.
“[Paramount will] focus on technological advancements, across multiple entertainment platforms including animation, gaming, film, sports, news and television,” said David Ellison, the head of Skydance. “[Skydance will provide] modernized infrastructure, offering scalability and ingenuity.”
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