Wesley Hilliard
With only a few weeks of regular season football left, time is running out to announce a deal between the NFL and someone for Sunday Ticket — and all eyes are on Apple.
It's no secret that Apple wants to bolster its Apple TV+ streaming platform with more sports options. It already has deals with Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer, but now it wants a football package.
According to a report from Sportico, Apple remains the top contender for purchasing rights to NFL Sunday Ticket, however, negotiations are moving at a glacial pace. The deal was expected to close in the fall of 2022, but now will likely extend well into 2023.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell didn't have much to say on the matter except that negotiations are at a critical point.
"Our decisions are not based on timelines," Goodell said. "They're based on getting the best outcome with the best party."
Apple, Google, Amazon, and Disney all seemingly have some kind of skin in the game for this deal. Though it seems Apple is the top choice — which has been the case since at least September 2021.
In the meantime, NFL fans will have to make do with Apple taking over as sponsor of the Super Bowl. Rihanna will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show, and Apple might announce an official NFL Sunday Ticket package while they're there.
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2 Comments
I’m so ready for this!
i have no idea if it makes sense for Apple, but I would LOVE to be able to get access to my out-of-market team!!!
This is only the beginning. College football is about to undergo a major realignment that will end up with two superconferences comprising approximately 50 schools.
Among the major networks and Amazon and Apple, which do you think can most afford to cut and win the biggest deals when that comes about?