NFL Network, ESPN discuss a partnership

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jun 21, 2008

NEW YORK (AP) -- The NFL Network and Walt Disney Co.'s ESPN are in talks about forming a partnership, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

A deal could end a long standoff between the league and cable carriers, some of whom said the NFL was asking them to pay too much for its programming.

The NFL's discussions with Disney are being led by Steven Bornstein, the head of the NFL's cable network who is also a previous chairman of ESPN and president of the ABC network, which is also owned by Disney, the Journal reported.

ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys declined to comment on the report but said the network has "a long-term and extensive relationship with the NFL and to that end we are always in discussions with them about mutual projects."