Posted on 09/22/2025 8:55:00 AM PDT by Red Badger
The Walt Disney Co. could be forced to choose between salvaging its late-night franchise and protecting a multibillion-dollar partnership with the NFL, according to a report.
Well-embedded sources predicted to the news site Front Office Sports that the House of Mouse “may ultimately have to make a hard choice” that “may not be much of a choice at all” — which likely means jettisoning Jimmy Kimmel.
The stakes are enormous. ESPN recently struck a blockbuster deal with the NFL, trading a 10% equity stake valued around $2 billion to $3 billion for the league’s NFL Network, RedZone and fantasy football assets.
The agreement requires regulatory approval from agencies working under the Trump administration.
Insiders warned Front Office Sports that the commander-in-chief could seek to torpedo the pact.
President Trump has a long, combative history with the league — from his failed 2014 bid to buy the Buffalo Bills to clashes over player protests and ESPN commentary.
Ari Fleischer, former White House press secretary in the George W. Bush administration, told FOS that Trump could seize on the opportunity to possibly sabotage the NFL-ESPN pact, saying it would be “political catnip” for the president.
“Given his interest in the NFL, and his history of using media mergers for leverage, it’s hard to see him not playing around with this,” Fleischer told FOS.
“I doubt this will be a straightforward commercial transaction.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
NFL PING!................
“Ari Fleischer, former White House press secretary in the George W. Bush administration, told FOS that Trump could seize on the opportunity to possibly sabotage the NFL-ESPN pact, saying it would be “political catnip” for the president.
“Given his interest in the NFL, and his history of using media mergers for leverage, it’s hard to see him not playing around with this,” Fleischer told FOS.”
Once a member of the establishment, always a member.
Yeah, tough choice. Cratering ratings, losing money, advertiser and affiliate push back..regulatory pushback vs. the highest rated programing on TV..the NFL.
A deal with a multi billion dollar sports league or a low rated unfunny faux comedian......gee, which way will it end up. 😏.....let’s just hope it DOES come down to that.
Front Office Sports is uh FOS? :)
Why would they want to "salvage" Kimmel's show when reruns of Celebrity Jeopardy in that timeslot are pulling better ratings than Kimmel?
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