Shares of Walt Disney Co. DIS, +1.13% rose Friday on a report that company chief executive Robert Iger and ESPN chief Jimmy Pitaro have had early discussions with the NFL and NBA about those leagues becoming minority investors in ESPN. The cable sports leader held preliminary talks with the NFL and NBA about new strategic partnerships and investment structures, said a CNBC report, citing people familiar with the situation. “We have a longstanding relationship with Disney and look forward to continuing the discussions around the future of our partnership,” an NBA spokesperson said in a statement. Representatives for ESPN and the NFL declined to comment.
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