When ESPN announced it was buying NFL Network, many wondered what would happen with one of the top NFL insiders – Ian Rapoport – and we now know.
According to Front Office Sports’ Ryan Glasspiegel, Rapoport is signing a new deal that will bring him to ESPN. Rapoport’s contract with NFL Network was set to expire at the end of April, according to reports.
The framework of the deal has not been released, but Glasspiegel said Rapoport would remain with NFL Network and also make appearances on ESPN.
Rapoport’s signing means that he and his former competitor, Adam Schefter, will now be teammates following ESPN’s official takeover of NFL Network on April 1. As part of the deal, the NFL will own a 10% stake in ESPN.
Rapoport joined NFL Network in 2012 after spending three years with the Boston Herald covering the NFL.
The Athletic’s sports media reporter Andrew Marchand said Rapoport and Schefter met for nearly an hour during the Annual League Meeting in March.
“Schefter is only 59,” Marchand said. “I don’t think he’s going anywhere. I think if I’m the NFL Network reporters, I come in there, put my head down and try to get the work done and not worry about succession.”
