Wrestler Sting’s famous quote rings true for sports media when predicting future trends: “The only thing that’s for sure about Sting is nothing’s for sure.” Predictions for 2025 include Tom Brady’s possible walking away from broadcasting before the start of the 2025 NFL season, driven by his non-broadcasting business interests. Meanwhile, a surge in women’s sports has been noticeable, with predictions of a significant uptick in WNBA viewership in 2025. Increased interests in the league especially through Caitlin Clark, and partnerships with NBC and Amazon Prime Video, bode well for long-term TV rights deals and more substantial marketing dollars.
Staying with ESPN, its direct-to-consumer streaming service, “Flagship,” is set to offer consumers access to ESPN’s entire suite of networks without the traditional pay-TV subscription, which could turn into an instant hit. The $25 to $30 subscription price will likely draw consumers initially, accompanied by integration with ESPN Fantasy and ESPN Bet. The subscription’s arrival in time for the NFL season start could push subscriber numbers even higher.
In other forecasts, Kevin Harlan is predicted to call NBA games for Amazon Prime Video, joining Ian Eagle and adding significant credibility to live-game streaming. ESPN is likely to opt out of its MLB contract after the 2025 season, which could save Disney/ESPN as much as $600 million in expenses. It is, however, likely that restructuring would occur, possibly to accommodate local games.
An intriguing prediction for 2025 regards the future of UFC. Speculations suggest that it may end up being split between ESPN and Netflix, potentially signalling Netflix’s entry into sports rights. Dana White, UFC’s president, will likely be on a mission to secure huge deals. ESPN is also anticipated to commit to a regular women’s basketball daily studio show during the WNBA season, capitalizing on its rising popularity and impressive array of All-Stars.
There may be changes in the Pac-12 landscape, too, with significant chances of it gaining a media company heavyweight for its media rights. This follows the conference’s association with Octagon as their agency of record. Finally, potentially eye-catching predictions involve ESPN possibly renting an active player or coach for the NBA Finals, with names such as LeBron James or Steph Curry, and even Chris Paul being thrown into the mix. The future of sports media, whilst unpredictable, surely looks engaging.
