© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Commercial-free NFL RedZone is a thing of the past. Last month, ESPN purchased the NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and other NFL media assets in exchange for 10 percent equity stake in ESPN.
“This is an exciting day for sports fans,” said Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN. “By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN’s reach and innovation, we’re creating a premier destination for football fans. Together, ESPN and the NFL are redefining how fans engage with the game — anytime, anywhere. This deal helps fuel ESPN’s digital future, laying the foundation for an even more robust offering as we prepare to launch our new direct-to-consumer service.”
Unfortunately, ESPN is already starting to change NFL RedZone for the worse.
On Wednesday, NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson revealed that there will be commercials in some capacity during RedZone this upcoming season.
Rather than using his traditional catchphrase of “seven hours of commercial-free football starts now,” Hanson said the new slogan each Sunday will be “seven hours of RedZone football starts now.”
Scott Hanson confirms NFL RedZone will have commercials in some capacity this season — which is something he has no control over.
The intro will be: “7 hours of RedZone Football start now.”
(via @PatMcAfeeShow)pic.twitter.com/qJHM8RmPb9
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 3, 2025
Fans are already calling out ESPN over the move.
“Sounds like my Red Zone days are probably over. We won’t see anything in real time. Will just be catching up on everything we already know that has happened 10 minutes ago. Really sucks for a consumer like me. Congrats @espn
you ruined ANOTHER great product.” said an NFL fan on X
As of now, it’s currently unclear what type of ads will run on RedZone, but it’s definitely a bummer that commercial-free football is going away.