Earlier this week, ESPN announced that it is acquiring the NFL Network and substantial rights to its RedZone channel. In exchange, the NFL will receive a 10 percent stake in the network.
In addition to sparking a massive, still-ongoing discourse within the sports media class, the deal has raised many questions—even for casual fans. Among them: How will the NFL’s newfound ownership status impact ESPN’s coverage of the league?
According to ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro, the answer is not at all.
In an interview with The Athletic on Wednesday, Pitaro said the network was “very clear” with the NFL that “nothing is changing” about how ESPN covers the league or its journalistic principles more broadly.
He went on to say that the NFL didn’t even broach the subject during negotiations.
“[The NFL] never once asked us to change our approach in terms of how we cover them,” Pitaro explained. “We are the place of record. A huge part of our DNA is how we cover sports objectively and fairly. They understand, as do all leagues, that that’s going to continue, hard stop.”
While the comments from Jimmy Pitaro were intended to quell any conflict of interest concerns, not everyone is convinced — especially Dan Patrick, who dedicated several minutes to the topic during his radio show yesterday.
“ESPN can’t be any further in bed with the NFL when it comes to their coverage,” he said. “Are they going to look the other way with whatever negative story comes up? They’ve probably already done that.”
Patrick also pointed out that, though the question of journalistic integrity is currently swirling around ESPN, it’s not exclusive to that network: “Everybody’s in bed with the NFL. All networks have partnerships there. As far as a conflict of interest, I think that’s long gone. I think there’s certain things that you’re just not going to cover.”
That statement drew a fiery response from ESPN journalist Don Van Natta Jr., but Patrick’s assessment speaks to a broader issue. As outlets continue to integrate artificial intelligence into their work and prioritize content creators over capital-J journalists, the entire media industry is facing a renewed cratering of trust levels.
ESPN’s position as the face of sports journalism in America means consumers’ ire is already directed more fervently toward it than any other sports outlet. (Just within the past month, the Worldwide Leader has been viciously called out for botching basic facts about the Chicago White Sox’s 2005 World Series win two separate times.)
But its link-up with the NFL—while undoubtedly a financial boon—means any errors will be magnified tenfold.
About Ellyn Briggs
Ellyn Briggs is a writer, reporter and researcher based in Columbus, Ohio. Her work and commentary are regularly featured by dozens of outlets, including NBC News, Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Business Insider and Fast Company.