XFL Reportedly in Talks With FOX and ESPN For Broadcast Rights

– The XFL is reportedly in negotiations with both FOX and ESPN for broadcast rights for the league’s 2020 return. The news comes from Sports Business Journal, who report that the league is “deep in discussions” with both networks for the rights.

According to the outlet, XFL games would also air on ABC if ESPN gets the rights. Both ABC and ESPN are owned by Disney, and there is a fair bit of corporate synergy between the two when it comes to live sports programming. A deal and announcement could be made as early as next week.

FOX will be the broadcast home for Smackdown starting in October and is pushing more heavily into live programming following the sale of Fox Television as part of the Fox/Disney deal.