Yesterday the X-Treme Football League (XFL) announced a new, global multi-year agreement with The Walt Disney Company (“TWDC”) and ESPN, which includes exclusive broadcast rights for all gameday content for the 2023 season through to 2027.
All 43 games of the American football league, will be featured on a combination of ABC, ESPN networks and FX each season.
The agreement also includes exclusive content rights across TWDC and ESPN’s digital, social and direct-to-consumer outlets such as ESPN+.
XFL chairwoman, Dany Garcia, said: “Without question, we have long admired Disney’s distinct ability to engage an expansive consumer fanbase across verticals, while also maintaining a deeply authentic, nuanced and heartfelt approach to storytelling much like our own.”
“To find a partner that honours our foundation and to be able to root our vision of unwavering passion, accessibility and the future of football with Disney as our home, is a dream come true.
“We are extraordinarily excited to explore the endless possibilities of this partnership.
“Today is surely just the beginning,” said Garcia.
ESPN and Sports Content chairman, Jimmy Pitaro, said: “The XFL will tap into sports fans’ deep love of football by emphasizing competitive action while dedicating itself to innovation and entertainment.”
“You can see a great path to success when you combine the reach and influence of ESPN and Disney with the collective vision of XFL leadership led by Dany, Dwayne and Gerry,” said Pitaro.
The XFL 2023 season will kick off on Saturday, February 18th.
