Summary: As ESPN has become synonymous with sports coverage in the US, investing in this company is an ideal opportunity to gain access to the sports media sector speculation. However, since The Walt Disney Company is its majority owner, you cannot buy ESPN stock directly. Instead, the best alternative is to get secondary exposure to ESPN’s performance by investing in Disney using a regulated brokerage like eToro.
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About ESPN
Founded in 1979, it has managed to gain control of a significant portion of global sports coverage. As the most popular sports TV network in the US, ESPN offers an array of sports-related content, including live broadcasts of sporting events, news, analysis, documentaries, and talk shows on a broad spectrum of sports, from football and soccer to baseball and basketball.
Besides the flagship channel and its seven subsidiaries in the United States, ESPN broadcasts in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. With a sizeable audience and numerous affiliates, ESPN has played a dominant role in shaping sports team fandom and culture as we know it.
The network has since expanded beyond television to embrace a formidable online presence via mobile apps, providing its audiences with real-time data and multimedia content.
ESPN is 80% owned by The Walt Disney Company, and you cannot invest in it directly. However, you can still buy shares in Disney (NYSE: DIS) and gain indirect exposure to ESPN’s performance.
How to buy ESPN stock: step by step
As you cannot buy ESPN shares, the best way to benefit from it is to invest in Disney and purchase its stock (DIS). You can do this in a simple five-step process:
Step 1: Choose a broker
To receive entry into the stock market, you need to employ the services of a stock brokerage that allows you to purchase and sell various stocks, such as DIS.
To securely buy Walt Disney Co. stock (DIS), we recommend the following:
- Commission-free stock and ETF trading;
- 2,000+ stocks from 17 exchanges;
- Fractional shares available;
- User-friendly platform.
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Each brokerage has its advantages and disadvantages, but several factors will influence your choice regardless of your investing habits:
- Range of offerings: Your platform should list DIS but also confirm the availability of other assets like different commodities, various stocks, forex, and derivative assets like options, CFDs, and futures. Having them at hand will be helpful if you decide to diversify your portfolio;
- Cost: The brokers’ industry standard is commission-free trading with no-minimum accounts for stocks and ETFs. Verify this is the case with your candidate;
- Regulation and security: Make sure the investing platform adheres to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) regulations. Look for two-factor authentication (2FA) and similar security measures;
- Fractional stock trading: Platforms that enable fractional stock trading allow you to buy stocks by the dollar amount, which suits those with limited capital or traders seeking to pursue the dollar-cost averaging approach.
Step 2: Open and fund your account
After deciding on your brokerage, you must register your account and perform the verification. Simply follow the instructions provided by the brokerage. Following that, you should transfer some funds to your account to purchase DIS stock.
Payment options usually include a bank transfer, debit or credit card, and a third-party transaction service such as PayPal (PYPL). Go with whatever fits your investing style the most.
Step 3: Decide how much you want to invest in ESPN stock
This may go without saying, but coming up with the right investment sum is vital to the investing process. After all, going over your budget limit can have severe consequences if your investment fails.
To help you decide, answer these two questions:
- Will my quality of life decline if I lose this investment?
- Do I have enough cash to cover three to six months of living costs and no outstanding high-interest debt?
Besides these, the right amount of money depends on your investing style, the level of risk you are comfortable with, and the ultimate purpose of your investment.
Remember
Step 4: Place your order and buy ESPN stock
Investors have to place a trade order to buy DIS shares. These four simple steps will guide you through the process:
- Step 1: Log into your exchange account and find the company’s ticker stock symbol DIS;
- Step 2: Type in the number of shares you want to buy;
- Step 3: Select the order type (market order or limit order) and place it;
- Step 4: Execute the trade order.
Step 5: Monitor and manage your investment
You should regularly monitor and maintain your stock portfolio to ensure maximum chances of returning a profit.
Frequently conduct new research on the stock and Disney’s financial performance. Moreover, keep informed about the current status of sports media, the adoption pace of new media technologies, and the general level of individual sports.
DIS stock price today
Pros and cons of buying ESPN stock (DIS)
Pros
- Strong brand presence: ESPN is one of the most recognized and renowned sports media networks in the world, which gives significant leverage to Disney in this sector;
- Content rights: ESPN has broadcasting rights over several vital sports events, such as NFL, NBA, MLB, and others;
- Global audience: Due to its massive presence on the international media stage, investing in ESPN gives access to several global markets.
Cons
- Changing media: The media industry has been shifting towards digital platforms and streaming, leading to a decline in traditional cable and satellite TV subscriptions. This trend could negatively impact ESPN’s reach;
- Competition: While still dominant, ESPN faces increasing competition, including new traditional sports networks, digital platforms, and social media.
- Cost of content rights renewal: Content rights must be renewed, but the costs could be less than the benefits if advertising and subscription revenues fall behind.
Common mistakes to avoid when investing
Make sure to avoid these common investing mistakes:
- Lack of research: Thoroughly research the stock, global market, and media industry environment before spending any money;
- Lack of strategy: Clearly define your milestones before you invest;
- Staking everything on one asset: Always diversify your portfolio;
- Falling prey to scams: Avoid illegal platforms and suspicious deals.
Disclaimer: The content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing is speculative. When investing, your capital is at risk.
FAQs about how to buy ESPN stock
How to buy ESPN stock?
Unfortunately, you cannot buy ESPN stock as its principal owner is Disney. The best alternative is to buy Disney stock (DIS) and gain secondary access to ESPN performance speculation.
How to buy DIS stock?
You can invest in Disney and purchase DIS through a regulated online brokerage like eToro.
Should I invest in ESPN?
The answer depends on several aspects, including your investing habits, sports media network status, financial strategy, risk tolerance, etc. Besides the stock, consider the viability of traditional cable networks, as this will influence ESPN’s performance in the future.
How do I sell my DIS stock?
Go to your online brokerage account, find DIS, type in how much stock you want to dispatch, and press the ‘sell’ button.
Highly Rated Stock Trading & Investing Platform
-
Invest in 2,800+ stocks and other assets including 70+ cryptocurrencies and commodities.
-
0% commission on buying stocks - buy in bulk or just a fraction from as little as $10. Other fees apply. For more information, visit etoro.com/trading/fees.
-
Copy top-performing traders in real time, automatically.
-
eToro USA is registered with FINRA for securities trading.
