NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson confirmed his status after ESPN officially acquired the football whip-around show from NFL Network as part of a new multi-billion-dollar deal.
The 54-year-old opened up about ESPN’s acquisition of NFL RedZone on social media.
There were fears over whether Hanson would return to NFL RedZone after uncertainty with the show.
The show’s host since 2009, Hanson was out of contract after the 2024 NFL campaign.
And the latest uncertainty facing the show surrounded a potential deal between ESPN and NFL Network.
On Tuesday, ESPN and the NFL confirmed a deal that will give the league’s top media properties to the latter network, per The Athletic.
In response to the news, Hanson then shared that he will be kept on NFL RedZone where he narrates seven hours of live football every Sunday during the regular season.
“It’s official. (& for those wondering: yes, I will still be hosting RedZone.) Fired up for a great season! Optimistic about this new partnership! (& I get to call @AdamSchefter “colleague” for the 2nd time in my career… nice bonus!),” Hanson wrote on X.
After being mentioned in the social media post, the ESPN’s NFL top insider Schefter replied, “My honor.”
RedZone shows live highlights from every NFL game as soon as it occurs and gives fans a one-stop shop to see all the major plays.
In the deal, the NFL will receive 10 percent of ESPN’s equity.
The deal will now give ESPN access to RedZone, NFL Network, and seven more regular-season games.
ESPN will also receive the NFL’s fantasy football operation, the potential to merge special features, including betting, and possibly more resources.
“Today’s announcement paves the way for the world’s leading sports media brand and America’s most popular sport to deliver an even more compelling experience for NFL fans, in a way that only ESPN and Disney can,” said Robert A. Iger, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, per a new release.
“Commissioner Goodell and the NFL have built outstanding media assets, and these transactions will add to consumer choice, provide viewers with even greater convenience and quality, and expand the breadth and value proposition of Disney’s streaming ecosystem.”
It’s not known, however, if RedZone will continue to stay commercial free.
The program was on its own channel for cable packages.
Any potential deal with ESPN is likely to come into effect for the 2026 season.
That would mean that RedZone would continue in its current format for one more year.
Hanson will be back performing his duties on Sunday, September 7 for the first weekend of the upcoming season.
