Latest news with #RedZone

Fans furious over potential deal that would see ESPN take control of NFL Network

Daily Mail

5 days ago

Business
Daily Mail

Fans furious over potential deal that would see ESPN take control of NFL Network

ESPN and the NFL are reportedly 'inside the five-yard line' in negotiations over a deal that could leave football fans furious. The two parties are said to be inching closer to an agreement that would see the network acquire a significant portion of NFL media, including the RedZone Channel, according to The Athletic. In addition to RedZone, which simultaneously broadcasts all the best action from across the league's Sunday slates, ESPN is reportedly also in line to acquire the NFL Network and seven regular-season games that currently air on the league-owned network. It's currently unclear how much the blockbuster deal could cost the network but it is believed an agreement could be imminent. Talks have reached such a stage that the league has informed team owners that they may need to vote as early as next month, the report added. However, NFL fans seemingly hope negotiations will crumble before a vote takes place as they were left seething over the bombshell news Wednesday. Many on social media claimed that RedZone's quality would tank under the stewardship of ESPN. 'I think it'll be a lesser product. Redzone and NFL network are better as their distinct selves. The product doesn't need ESPN's spin on it. Look what they did with the UFC,' one user shared on X. 'ESPN gonna find a way to make it worse aren't they,' another claimed, while a third added: 'This will go downhill so much if it moves to ESPN.' 'ESPN just buys products and ruins them. No way it's actually better and most likely will get way worse. And probably will have tons of commercials,' weighed in a fourth. 'I don't see this being a positive thing for the fans…,' posted another, with one user asking: 'Can ESPN just go away already?' For years, RedZone was known for its 'seven hours of commercial-free football' but the fear of increased advertisements following an ESPN takeover seemed to be a point of contention for a lot of fans. 'Get ready for advertisements 24 hours a day,' one dejected fan posted, while another sarcastically added: 'So much for commercial free football.' In May, Scott Hanson announced that he would be returning as host of the show for a 17th season this fall. Fans were left furious as the bombshell report broke with many slamming the network Hanson's status as host of RedZone, and the show's airing as a whole, came into question as speculation ramped up about his NFL contract. Earlier this year, there had been reports that walks between the host and the network had stalled with his former contact expiring at the end of the 2024 season. But the veteran host confirmed his return in a social media statement earlier this year. '100 days from now = NFL RedZone. (& for those wondering: Yes, I *will* be there. We have A LOT of Touchdowns to watch together!) #NFLRedZone,' Hanson said.

Scott Hanson's ‘NFL RedZone' contract talks were ‘a knockdown drag-out negotiation'

New York Post

18-07-2025

Entertainment
New York Post

Scott Hanson's ‘NFL RedZone' contract talks were ‘a knockdown drag-out negotiation'

'Seven hours of commercial-free football' nearly had a different voice for next season. Scott Hanson, the host of 'NFL RedZone,' questioned if he would return to his role before signing an extension to return for a 17th year. 'There was a time when I thought 'I don't know if this is going to happen,'' Hanson said on the 'SI Media Podcast with Jimmy Traina' this week. 'It was not my intention to have it go that direction. But you have to be willing for that eventuality or that possibility.' Advertisement 3 Scott Hanson at Super Bowl LI AP While Hanson did not share the financial details of his new contract, he confirmed that his extension will have him be the face of NFL Network's 'RedZone,' in which he shows live look-ins and every touchdown for seven-plus straight hours on Sundays though at least his 20th season. The negotiations weren't easy, though, with Hanson likening himself to an NFL free agent who wants to stay with his current team even as other landing spots see his true value. Advertisement 'The NFL, as they wont to do, they are very tough negotiators,' Hanson said. 'There was quite a knockdown drag-out negotiation, but I'm thrilled to be back. Thrilled that we were able to come to an agreement.' There was speculation Hanson was considering leaving for NBC after his Olympics whiparound show, 'GoldZone.' 3 Scott Hanson signing off the air of RedZone in 2017. NFL Hanson put those rumors to bed. Advertisement 'My contract was up, that was reported in public. It was coming up, and we were negotiating. That was true,' he said, 'There was a feel I was going to leave for NBC. Well, it was conflated with what I did with GoldZone for the Paris Olympics last summer, and the fact that I was and we were in the middle of a negotiation with NBC to come back and do future GoldZones. I think some people got part of the truth and reported that NBC was going to pull Scott Hanson away.' 3 NFL Network's Scott Hanson NFL Instead, he'll be back to his Sunday touchdown marathons on 'RedZone,' with a new season beginning on Sept. 7.

Scott Hanson had "knock-down, drag-out" negotiation with NFL over RedZone return

Yahoo

18-07-2025

Entertainment
Yahoo

Scott Hanson had "knock-down, drag-out" negotiation with NFL over RedZone return

In an era of strong personalities throughout sports media, Scott Hanson has managed to come off as extremely low-key, agreeable, and likable. And, of course, the NFL apparently used his good nature against him during his latest negotiation. But Hanson, who now has a contract to return as the host of RedZone, isn't bashful about discussing the sausage-making process. 'There was quite a knockdown drag-out negotiation, but I'm thrilled to be back," Hanson told Jimmy Traina of via Reice Shipley of "Thrilled that we were able to come to an agreement. To think that I would be on the show for 20 years, and have it be as successful as it has been, as it most likely will be, is extraordinary. I'm very blessed. There was a time when I thought, 'I don't know if this is going to happen.' It was not my intention to kind of go that direction, but you have to be willing for that eventuality or that possibility.' That's what happens when dealing with an entity that always drives a hard bargain. And the NFL always drives a hard bargain. With everyone. About everything. 'We started talking before last season,' Hanson said regarding his negotiations. 'Once the season hit and we hadn't reached the deal, I said, 'I got to focus on the football here. I'm confident we'll get something done.' I've been the host of the show for 16 years now. I've been with the NFL for 18 seasons. They've been good for me. I'd like to think I've been good for them. A reasonable mind should be able to come to an agreement here. However, the NFL as they [are] wont to do, they are very tough negotiators." That's the nicest way anyone could ever put it. The best news is that Hanson will be back in the job that he loves, quarterbacking the RedZone product for those who are very comfortable with Hanson in the chair. And who would have had a hard time imagining, or accepting, anyone else in that role. 'I love my job," Hanson told Traina. "I love hosting RedZone, and I hope that comes across. I love serving the football public, and that's why I look at myself as a servant. I'm not doing it to glorify myself. I'm not doing it to try and make my platform greater. That is a byproduct of plenty of millions of people on NFL Sundays. I'm trying to serve the viewer as I want to be served." It's good for NFL fans, and thus good for the NFL, that Hanson will be back. And his negotiations are a reminder that, no matter how much money the NFL makes, it will never pay a penny more than it thinks it has to. For anything.

Scott Hanson announces his ‘NFL RedZone' status for 2025 season

New York Post

30-05-2025

Entertainment
New York Post

Scott Hanson announces his ‘NFL RedZone' status for 2025 season

Scott Hanson has officially confirmed his return as host of 'NFL RedZone' for the 2025 season, marking his 17th year leading the popular Sunday broadcast. This announcement comes after months of speculation regarding his future on the show following the reported expiration of his contract at the end of the 2024 season. On Friday, Hanson shared the news of his return with a post on X. Advertisement Scott Hanson speaks on stage during the third day of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 26, 2025, in Green Bay. Getty Images '100 days from now = NFL RedZone. (& for those wondering: Yes, I *will* be there. We have A LOT of Touchdowns to watch together!) #NFLRedZone,' Hanson wrote. Hanson has hosted 'NFL RedZone' since its inception on NFL Network in 2009. Advertisement Known for its coverage of touchdowns and few commercials, 'RedZone' has been an NFL staple for football fans on Sundays, especially heightened with the rise of fantasy football and sports betting, since it entered the fray in the late 2000s. Earlier in the offseason, reports indicated that negotiations between Hanson and NFL Media had stalled, leading to concerns that he might depart for other opportunities. Hanson had hosted NBC's Peacock 'Gold Zone' during the 2024 Summer Olympics, so speculation grew that he could make a complete move there. Scott Hanson speaks on stage during round four of the 2022 NFL Draft on April 30, 2022 in Las Vegas. Getty Images Advertisement Though fans will generally be happy about Hanson's return, some have expressed apprehension regarding the show's format. In late 2024, 'RedZone' began incorporating limited commercials during its broadcasts, a departure from its longstanding 'commercial-free' promise. Hanson even dropped 'commercial-free' from his opening catchphrase, previously welcoming viewers to 'seven hours of commercial-free football.' Despite these changes, Hanson's continued presence will be a stabilizer for fans of 'RedZone,' even with the program's evolution.

BREAKING NEWS NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson makes decision on his future