ESPN’s senior NFL insider Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s lead insider Ian Rapoport could form an alliance at the Worldwide Leader after nearly two decades as industry rivals.
There’s been a “thawing of the ice” between Schefter and Rapoport in recent weeks as ESPN/Disney will absorb the contracts of NFL Network talent in a merger beginning April 1, per Front Office Sports.
One indication of that came when Schefter retweeted Rapoport’s story that All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce is returning to the Chiefs for a 14th season on Monday.
Schefter, 59, reportedly makes approximately $9 million per year under his current deal with ESPN.
Rapoport’s NFL Network contract reportedly expires in May.
After that, ESPN will have to decide on Rapoport’s future and negotiate a potential new agreement.
Rapoport, 46, could remain the top insider on Disney’s version of NFL Network, opposite Schefter on ESPN, as noted by FOS.
However, they could dominate the NFL insider market by joining forces.
ESPN reportedly agreed to take on NFL Network talent for the remainder of their current deals before it can negotiate new agreements.
ESPN’s $3 billion purchase of NFL Network — and other assets including the RedZone channel and NFL Fantasy Football — was finalized as of Jan. 2026.
The NFL received a 10 percent equity stake in ESPN as part of the deal.
Some NFL Network on-air talent are in “panic mode” as their future is uncertain with the April 1 merger approaching.
“The NFL spent so many years cutting that they’ve shaved past the bone at NFL Network,” a source told FOS. “Maybe ESPN will finally put some real firepower behind it.”
Rapoport has been NFL Network’s lead insider since July of 2013.
Schefter has worked as an NFL insider for ESPN since 2009, and appears across the a variety of programs including “NFL Live” and “Sunday NFL Countdown.”