NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suggested this week that a College Football RedZone product could soon become a reality as ESPN moves forward with acquiring NFL Network and RedZone distribution rights.
The comments came during a SportsCenter appearance following news of a multi-billion-dollar deal between the league and ESPN.
The agreement gives ESPN the right to distribute NFL RedZone on cable and satellite platforms, while the NFL retains ownership and digital production of the current version. As part of the deal, the NFL will receive a 10 percent equity stake in ESPN, reportedly valued between two and three billion dollars. Final approval from NFL owners is still required before the agreement becomes official.
Goodell was clear that the NFL RedZone brand, hosted by Scott Hanson, will remain unchanged for professional football fans. However, the new rights arrangement allows ESPN to expand the RedZone format to other properties, including college football, which it fully controls under its media umbrella.
With ESPN set to launch a standalone streaming platform later this year, the idea of a College Football RedZone aligns well with its broader digital ambitions. Saturday schedules already feature dozens of games airing across ESPN, ABC, and ESPN+, giving the network both the access and infrastructure to create a fast-paced, whip-around product centered on live scoring and key moments.
While no official plans have been announced, Goodell’s openness to the concept signals that the league is comfortable with the RedZone brand evolving. For college football fans, the possibility of a RedZone-style experience on fall Saturdays could significantly reshape how the sport is watched and consumed.
If ESPN acts on the opportunity, College Football RedZone could become one of the most anticipated viewing additions of the 2025 season.
