Adam Schefter-Ian Rapoport feud thawing with…
ESPN’s senior NFL insider Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s lead insider Ian Rapoport might kind an alliance at the Worldwide Leader after almost twenty years as industry rivals.
There’s been a “thawing of the ice” between Schefter and Rapoport in current weeks as ESPN/Disney will take up the contracts of NFL Network expertise in a merger starting April 1, per Front Office Sports.
One indication of that got here when Schefter retweeted Rapoport’s story that All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce is returning to the Chiefs for a 14th season on Monday.
NFL Network Insider reporter Ian Rapoport during the NFL Scouting Combine on March 2, 2022, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Schefter, 59, reportedly makes roughly $9 million per 12 months under his current deal with ESPN.
Rapoport’s NFL Network contract reportedly expires in May.
After that, ESPN could have to resolve on Rapoport’s future and negotiate a potential new settlement.
Rapoport, 46, might stay the top insider on Disney’s model of NFL Network, reverse Schefter on ESPN, as famous by FOS.
However, they may dominate the NFL insider market by becoming a member of forces.
ESPN reportedly agreed to take on NFL Network expertise for the rest of their current offers before it may possibly negotiate new agreements.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on set forward of Super Bowl LIX on February 7, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Getty Images
ESPN’s $3 billion buy of NFL Network — and other property including the RedZone channel and NFL Fantasy Football — was finalized as of Jan. 2026.
The NFL acquired a 10 % equity stake in ESPN as half of the deal.
Some NFL Network on-air expertise are in “panic mode” as their future is unsure 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 labored as an NFL insider for ESPN since 2009, and seems across the a selection of packages including “NFL Live” and “Sunday NFL Countdown.”
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