Sources say Disney plans to sell a 36% stake in ESPN Sports Network, with Apple as a potential buyer

CTOnews.com, Nov. 2 (Xinhua)-- according to a recent report released by Bank of America Global Research (BofA Global Research), Disney's ESPN sports network is valued at $24 billion (CTOnews.com Note: about 175.92 billion yuan) and has attracted many potential buyers, including Apple and Verizon.

Disney last month disclosed the financial position of ESPN in an effort to attract outside investors, showing a decline in sales and profits.

Bob Iger, Disney chief executive, has said Disney wants to keep ESPN and will try to build a streaming app through joint ventures or for the sale of a stake. Disney plans to retain a 51 per cent majority stake and plans to sell a 36 per cent stake.

Webush analyst Dan Ives said on CNBC's "Last Call" program in August that he thought ESPN, the sports channel, was the "perfect partner" for Apple TV+ and predicted that Apple would buy the station within the next six to nine months.