More On ESPN and Disney
ESPN does not own sports content other than a library of old boxing matches. That is a problem as the company positions itself to become a standalone, streaming business by 2025. While ESPN is the exclusive broadcast partner for the UFC, it does not own the UFC (although it would be wise for Disney to acquire UFC parent EDR). If ESPN is going to be successful as a standalone streaming pure-play company by 2025, it must figure out a way to own sports content. That may mean taking a partial equity stake in or forming a joint venture with a sports league.
ESPN faces several key headwinds as it relates to content acquisition, content distribution and its value proposition to content producers in a direct-to-consumer (DTC) world:
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