ESPN, thought-about the highest sports activities community, has positioned itself in that house through an array of strikes which have resulted in new alternatives and platforms, however its newest ventures have garnered combined responses on-line. ESPN introduced this week new partnerships with WWE and the NFL Community, main followers of the community to blast the strikes over anticipated high quality versus value points.

On Wednesday (August 6), ESPN, which is owned by The Walt Disney Firm, introduced the cope with WWE, a part of the TKO Holdings Inc. group. Starting in 2026, the community would be the unique home community for WWE Premium Stay Occasions (PLEs), together with the favored WrestleMania occasion. The community can also be unveiling a brand new direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service on August 21.

Along with the WWE information, the NFL has reached an settlement with ESPN to bolster the community’s present protection and convey extra content material to the upcoming DTC. Beginning subsequent yr with the 2026 NFL Draft, Disney+ and Hulu will stream ESPN, ABC, and ESPN Deportes’ draft protection concurrently.  As well as, the DTC will even air the draft proceedings. There will even be programming round NFL information, evaluation, fantasy soccer, and extra.

Whereas the community is undoubtedly happy with its new strikes, followers on X are lower than enthused, citing points with the present apps and hubs the place sports activities content material may be discovered. Additional, there are considerations of rising prices and with the uncertainty of the economic system, individuals wish to reduce from including one more streaming subscription to their month-to-month bills.

We’ve bought some reactions to the community’s new strikes from X listed under.

Study extra in regards to the new NFL partnership right here.

Study extra in regards to the new WWE partnership right here.

Study extra about ESPN’s DTC right here.

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Picture: Getty