The NFL Network, under ESPN, would likely be enhanced. (Mike Windle / Getty Images) In 1987, ESPN used NFL games as a battering ram to increase the fees it charged cable subscribers.

The morning after the Walt Disney Co. and the NFL formally announced their blockbuster equity-for-assets swap, Bob Iger told investors the deal may well be the biggest thing to hit ESPN in nearly ...

As an eight-year-old network in 1987, it first secured rights to televise eight NFL games per season, which changed the trajectory of how many cable and satellite subscribers wanted to watch ESPN ...