Sports Media with Richard Deitsch The state of the sports business with Robert Fishman and Michael Nathanson of MoffettNathanson
Aug 26, 2025
In this discussion, Robert Fishman, a senior analyst specializing in sports media, and Michael Nathanson, founding partner at MoffettNathanson, delve into ESPN's bold acquisition of the NFL Network. They analyze how this partnership could bolster ESPN's bargaining power and its implications for Disney. Topics include YouTube's ambitions in sports streaming, the financial intricacies behind major deals, and the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting. They offer valuable insights on the competition between traditional networks and emerging digital platforms.
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NFL Shapes The Sports-Media Playbook
- The NFL sets trends for the sports-media ecosystem and shapes league-media partnerships.
- Robert Fishman says NFL partnerships will influence how leagues negotiate with traditional and digital players.
Netflix Will Move From Events To Regular Rights
- Netflix is treating sports as 'eventized' now but will likely expand into regular sports rights.
- Robert Fishman expects Netflix to become a consistent competitor for big sports inventory over time.
Use League Partnership To Strengthen Negotiations
- Expect the ESPN–NFL asset deal to be used to strengthen ESPN's negotiating posture with distributors.
- Michael Nathanson and Robert Fishman say the formalized partnership de-risks ESPN and helps package assets strategically.