
ESPN is nearing a multi-year deal with NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport. The financial terms remain undisclosed but are expected to be significant.
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ESPN and long-time NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport are closing in on a new deal.
The news of Rapoportâs and ESPNâs impending deal comes from Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but itâs likely substantial because Rapoport is one of the very best in the business.
âESPN is finalizing a deal to retain longtime NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, sources told Front Office Sports,â Glasspiegel reported.
This does not mean we have seen the last of Rapoport on NFL Network, though.
Thatâs because ESPN acquired NFL Network in a deal with the league earlier this year, which means the latter networkâs talent is now under the ESPN umbrella.
That also means Rapoport will appear on both ESPN and NFL Network, Glasspiegel adds.
So, ESPN will have both of the most tapped-in NFL insiders in the business in Rapoport and Adam Schefter, who has been ESPNâs go-to guy for several years now.
ESPN Ian Rapoport NFL Network
We saw a preview of things to come following the ESPN-NFL deal in recent weeks.
Not only were ESPN and NFL Network employees reposting each other on X, but there was even a report from Schefter during the 2026 NFL Draft that credited both himself and Rapoport, which was just weird to see.
Rapoport has previously touched on working with Schefter in an interview with The Athleticâs Andrew Marchand.
Rapoport said the pairing would be âlike The Avengersâ and thatâs pretty spot on as far as NFL reporting is concerned because both reporters are at the very top of the business.
The financial terms of Ian Rapoport's deal with ESPN have not been disclosed, but they are expected to be substantial.
Yes, Ian Rapoport is expected to continue appearing on NFL Network even after finalizing his deal with ESPN.
The news about Ian Rapoport's impending deal with ESPN was reported by Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports.

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âIf we were to work together, I think that would be awesome,â Rapoport said. âI have no idea if itâs gonna happen. But, you know, itâd be like The Avengers.â
The billion-dollar deal between ESPN and the NFL was approved by government regulators and finalized by the two sides back in January.
Per the agreement, the NFL received a 10-percent ownership stake in ESPN.
Meanwhile, ESPN gets to own and operate NFL Network, which will be part of itâs $29.99 per month ESPN Unlimited package.
ESPN also absorbs the leagueâs fantasy football operation into its own, and has rights to the RedZone Channel that so many fans love.
Also as part of the deal, ESPN will carry more NFL games than it does already, with the opportunity to get more down the road.
Thankfully, the oft-dreaded âMonday Night Footballâ doubleheaders will be done away with.
As far as we know, Rapoport is the first NFL Network talent to agree to a new deal with ESPN.
It remains to be seen how much of the networkâs talent will be retained by ESPN.