ESPN has renewed its media rights deal with the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) for five years, starting in the 2026 season and running through 2030. As part of this agreement, ESPN will also take a minority equity stake in the PLL. The deal includes coverage of all PLL games and the new Maybelline Women’s Lacrosse League (WLL), with streaming available on ESPN+ and select games broadcast on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2. ESPN executives highlighted this investment as a strategic move reflecting confidence in the league's leadership and growth potential. Separately, ESPN and the Big East Conference have reestablished their partnership with a new six-year digital media rights agreement beginning in the 2025–26 season. This deal will cover hundreds of Big East events, including men’s and women’s basketball, and will provide content for ESPN’s direct-to-consumer platform launching in the fall. In another sports media development, Fox Corporation has acquired a one-third stake in Penske Entertainment, the owner of the IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, for approximately $125 million to $135 million. This investment extends Fox’s media rights deal with IndyCar for several additional years and comes amid a 30% increase in ratings this year. The growing trend of media companies taking equity stakes in sports leagues is exemplified by these deals, with other examples including TNT's investment in Unrivaled and rumored potential partnerships such as the NFL and ESPN.