ABC and ESPN Draw Unprecedented Demand from Advertisers for the 2020 NFL Draft, as Fans Eagerly Await the Premier Live Sports Event

With the 2020 NFL Draft returning to ABC and ESPN, the networks are experiencing high demand from advertisers for the greatly anticipated program.

In fact, the 2020 NFL Draft brings the most diverse array of advertisers in Disney’s history of broadcasting the event with over 100 brands advertising during the broadcast. More than 60 of these brands have joined the program for the first time. This year’s lineup of advertisers include:

• Lowe’s, presenting sponsor of the ESPN and NFL Network telecast
• Verizon, sponsor of the Prospect Cam
• Pizza Hut, sponsor of the Draft Moment
• Bud Light Seltzer, sponsor of the Virtual Huddle

Following the success of last year’s NFL Draft, Disney Advertising Sales has seen significant growth in the 2020 NFL Draft, including a double-digit year-over-year increase in revenue and surge of interest from the computers, insurance, gardening and media categories. Even new categories, such as home workshop, have emerged among the slate of advertisers for the upcoming presentation.

ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network will broadcast the 2020 NFL Draft on April 23-25, providing a multi-network presentation of the Draft. ABC will distinctively offer prime-time telecasts of the first three rounds (Thursday and Friday nights) – focusing on the journeys of the draft prospects – while simulcasting the ESPN and NFL Network telecast of rounds four to seven (Saturday).

Initially scheduled to take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, the 2020 NFL Draft will now be held in a virtual format due to the outbreak of COVID-19. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will announce the picks virtually from his home while hosts including Trey Wingo, Rece Davis, Jesse Palmer and Maria Taylor will cover the Draft from multiple ESPN studios – adhering to social distancing guidelines – with additional reporters and analysts contributing remotely.

To bring the Draft to life, Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer & International Technology team, ESPN and the NFL Network will utilize a combination of technologies to acquire, manage and transmit nearly 150 different video feeds from nearly 100 locations around the country – including player prospects, NFL team personnel and ABC, ESPN and NFL Network analysts and on-air talent. Bringing the array of videos through the Company’s Bristol facilities allows ABC, ESPN and NFL Network Production teams to tell the unique story of the 2020 NFL Draft.