According to a report in the Wall Street Journal on Monday, the NFL is “exploring a possible partnership” of the NFL Network and ESPN. As reported by The Sacramento Business Journal:

The report says that NFL Network president and chief executive officer Steve Bornstein has been engaged in "high-level discussions" with Disney executives in recent months. Among others rumored to have been involved with the talks are NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Robert Iger, president and CEO of the Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS), ESPN's parent company.

The report offers one possible scenario in which the NFL Network would combine with ESPN Classic. ESPN could then add to the number of games broadcasted on the NFL Network, which is currently eight per season. This would help the network increase subscription fees.

Although the report does confirm that talks have been on-going, it adds there is no reason to believe a deal is imminent.

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Nick Kappel is a staff member for the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey.

He can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network's Author Profiles

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