Disney's Tricky Choice: Late-Night Host or NFL Deal?

USASun Sep 21 2025
Disney is in a tough spot. They have to decide between bringing back Jimmy Kimmel to his late-night show or keeping a big deal with the NFL and ESPN. This all started when Kimmel made some comments about politics after a big event. Some people didn't like it, and ABC took him off the air. Now, Disney has to figure out what to do. The NFL and ESPN have a new deal. If it goes through, ESPN will control more NFL stuff and give the league some of its equity. But the deal needs approval, and Disney has to be careful. If they bring Kimmel back, it might mess up the NFL deal. If they don't, they might face more backlash. Disney is also thinking about how hard it will be to work with the NFL. People are already watching ESPN closely, especially after changes like adding ads to NFL RedZone. Disney has to ask if it's worth the trouble. At the end of the day, Disney has a big decision to make. They have to balance what's right with what's good for business. It's not an easy choice, but they can't avoid it for long.
https://localnews.ai/article/disneys-tricky-choice-late-night-host-or-nfl-deal-3228bee7

questions

    How does the potential NFL/ESPN deal impact the independence and integrity of sports journalism?
    Could the removal of Jimmy Kimmel be part of a larger agenda to control media narratives?
    What are the potential long-term effects on ABC's brand and viewership if they reinstate Jimmy Kimmel?

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