Sources: ESPN talks with NFL, NBA, MLB on partnership

Disney CEO Bob Igerand ESPN President Jimmy Pitarohave "held early talks about bringing professional sports leagues on as minority investors," including MLB, the NFL and NBA, according to sources. This comes as Disney considers a  strategic partner for ESPN. The sources said that ESPN has held "preliminary discussions with both the NFL and NBA about a variety of new partnerships and investment structures." Talks with the NFL have occurred in "conjunction with the league’s own desire for a company to take a stake in its media assets, including the NFL Network, NFL.com and RedZone." The NBA and Disney have "broached many potential structures around a renewal of media rights." A source said that the NHL "may also want to get involved in any deal" (CNBC.com, 7/21).