Ian Rapoport is finalizing a multi-year contract to remain with ESPN after the company acquires NFL Network, according to reports published April 29.
The agreement makes Rapoport the first NFL Network on-air personality to sign a new deal under ESPN ownership. Earlier this year, ESPN absorbed NFL Media assets in an equity transaction with the National Football League, gaining control of NFL Network while the league received a minority stake in ESPN.
Rapoport’s new contract allows him to appear across ESPN platforms while continuing his role on NFL Network programming. An ESPN spokesperson declined to comment.
ESPN plans to feature Rapoport alongside Adam Schefter, bringing together two of the league’s most prominent insiders who previously worked for competing networks.
Rapoport addressed his role during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” saying, “My assumption based on kind of what we’ve been told, is there’s gonna be a lot of things that are gonna look pretty similar,” he said, “like, I’m still gonna be on NFL Network a lot.”
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He joined NFL Network in 2012 after covering the New England Patriots for the Boston Herald and has since become a leading reporter on trades, free agency, injuries, and contract developments across the NFL.
ESPN expected to retain dual insider structure with Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter
The reported deal, described by sources as a four-year agreement, addresses uncertainty surrounding NFL Network talent following ESPN’s acquisition.
Under the terms of the broader transaction, existing NFL Network contracts were honored, with new agreements negotiated as they expire. Rapoport is the first to finalize a new deal under that structure.
The arrangement keeps both Rapoport and Schefter in similar roles within the same organization. The two recently shared byline credit on a report about linebacker Jonathan Greenard during draft coverage, reflecting early collaboration.
Rapoport said of working with Schefter, “I’m excited to be be here. However it happens, like working with Adam − you know I like the team part of this. … This is a hard world, and it should be fun, and teamwork is fun.”
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He is expected to continue appearing on NFL Network programs, including “The Insiders,” while also contributing to ESPN coverage as the network integrates its NFL media operations.
