One of the biggest souꦺrces of pro sports free agency news is set to become a free agent himself in the coming months.
The Post has learned that NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport’s contract expires during the 2024 NFL offseason.
Rapoport joined NFL Network in 2012 aftไer covering the Patriots for the Boston Herald.
In addition to NFL Media, Rapoport in the past has been a recurring contributor to “The Pat McAfee Show” and made his return to the program after several months away last week.
Perhaps if McAfee and ESPN cut ties in what has been a fractious partnership, Rapoport and ♔McAfee🅷 could rekindle a recurring role in the future, whether or not Rapoport remains with NFL Media.
There is a scarcity of people with Rapoport’s talent and reach as far as being a hyperconnected, top-tier league insider.
Rapoport and Adam Schefter are viewed as the most prolific NFL insiders, vying against each other to wi🍌n on the metaphorical scoreboard.
There are not many people in sports media who can drive the type of social engagement that the elite insiders do, and this is a valuable commodity for the ☂gambling companies, several of which have ✤their own media arms.
FanDuel, for example, has a partnership with NBA insider Shams Charan🌱ia on their linear network, which also encompasses social media pos🍨ts.
DraftKings has also built a robust OTT network.
At 4🔥4, Rap♋oport still has a long runway ahead of him in his career.
The Post’s Andrew Marchand reported in 2022 that ESPN r🌞e-signed Adrian Wojnarowski and Schefter for deals that were cumulatively worth $80 million over five years after interest from gambling companies.
Last week, Marchand rep💮orted that the NFL and ESPN are in advanced talks for a deal in which the league would ta🎀ke an equity stake in ESPN.
ESPN would take over control of NFL M꧂edia, which includes NFL Network, Red 🦩Zone and ;.
Rapaport refer✱red The Post to NFL Media PR, who did not respond to a request for comment.