National Football League

New Capabilities

Subject of the research; has adopted helmet and kickoff rule changes

A statistical correction, not a new brain bank, produced the highest estimate yet of how common chronic traumatic encephalopathy is among former NFL players. The study, published Oct. 28 in JAMA Network Open, estimates that 74.5% of 2,362 former players who died between 2008 and 2023 had CTE at death.

Updated Nov 3

Money Moves

As of May 2026: Holds 10% equity stake in ESPN

For 28 years ESPN was Disney's cable cash machine — a pay-TV channel that millions paid for whether they watched it or not. Disney's May 6 earnings report described something different: a standalone $29.99-a-month streaming service, an asset valued at $30 billion, and a sports network in which the National Football League now owns 10%.

Updated May 31

Rule Changes

As of May 2026: Primary defendant; lost arbitration battle, petitioned Supreme Court

For twenty years, the National Football League has resolved disputes through arbitration controlled by its commissioner. On February 13, 2026, a federal judge ruled that system cannot shield the league from allegations of discrimination against Black coaches, meaning evidence about how teams make hiring decisions will become public.

Updated May 29