ESPN is owned primarily by the Walt Disney Company, which holds an 80% stake and operational control, while Hearst Communications owns the remaining 20%. This ownership is through the joint venture ESPN Inc. The Walt Disney Company also owns ESPN indirectly through its subsidiary ABC, Inc. Additionally, in 2025, the National Football League (NFL) acquired a 10% equity interest in ESPN as part of a deal where ESPN obtained the NFL Network and other related media assets.