When ESPN secured its $3 billion purchase of NFL Network, many wondered how the Worldwide Leader would go about having the two biggest NFL insiders under the same umbrella in Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport.
Getting a deal done with Rapoport, whose NFL Network contract is up at the end of this month, is a high priority for ESPN, according to Front Office Sports.
Rapoport has been NFL Network’s lead insider since July of 2013.
The pairing of Schefter, who’s been with ESPN since August 2009 and turns 60 this year, and Rapoport could make for a possible succession plan should the former eventually exit the role, with Daniel Jeremiah (NFL Network) and Mel Kiper Jr., (ESPN) as draft experts in the long term, per FOS.
ESPN brass is a “big believer” in Jeremiah.
The early thinking for ESPN is that both Rapoport and Jeremiah will remain at their NFL Network positions, along with Scott Hanson, the host of “NFL RedZone.”
ESPN will continue to operate itself and NFL Network as separate networks.
Schefter and Kiper both will be in ESPN/ABC’s coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft from April 23-25.
Front Office Sports recently reported that there’s been a “thawing of the ice” between Schefter and Rapoport in the weeks leading up to the ESPN/Disney merger with NFL Network.
The Athletic also reported this week that ESPN is interested in retaining the 36-year-old Rapoport.
ESPN’s $3 billion purchase of NFL Network — and other assets including the RedZone channel and NFL Fantasy Football — was finalized in January 2026.
The NFL received a 10 percent equity stake in ESPN as part of the deal.