If NFL, ESPN deal is done soon, it will have an immediate impact on how fans consume the most popular sport in the US

Longstanding discussions between the NFL and ESPN regarding a potential deal are reportedly nearing completion. This agreement would involve the NFL acquiring a 10% stake in Disney-owned ESPN. In return, ESPN would gain ownership and operational control over NFL Network (including its seven live games per season) and NFL Red Zone, potentially alongside other NFL Media properties (excluding NFL Films).

The benefits for ESPN are significant, primarily bolstering its upcoming standalone streaming app (priced at $29.99/month) with valuable NFL content and securing a long-term partnership with the league. For the NFL, the deal offers a solution to offload its media properties, partnering with ESPN/Disney. However, questions arise about whether the league sees a side benefit in potentially limiting ESPN's critical reporting.

While the full impact on fans depends on the final deal details, two immediate consequences are clear: much of the current NFL Network content will shift to ESPN's purview, and fans will likely need to subscribe to the new ESPN streaming service to maintain full access.

The article also addresses a separate issue: the proliferation of AI-generated fake news on social media, particularly fabricated feel-good stories about athletes. Examples include false stories about Patriots QB Drake Maye donating wedding gifts and Lions QB Jared Goff donating his entire bonus to Detroit homeless shelters – both shared unknowingly by sports media figures (Scott Zolak and an unnamed NBA media member).

The author expresses concern that even media professionals are being deceived by this "sludge," leading to the spread of misinformation. The advice given is to be skeptical of stories that seem too good (or too scandalous) to be true and to verify them through credible journalists and original reports before sharing.