REUTERS: Apple Inc. is in early talks with the National Football League (NFL) for the streaming rights to its Sunday Ticket games, according to The Information, which cited people familiar with the situation. According to the article, AT&T Inc’s DirecTV currently holds the exclusive rights to Sunday Ticket, a package that includes regular-season games, and is reportedly paying US$1.5 billion per year to show the games.
According to the article, the NFL will likely demand a significant price rise for any new deal.
Apple did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters, and the NFL declined to comment.
The decision would support the iPhone maker’s push to add live sports to its Apple TV+ streaming service.
In March, the NFL announced long-term media arrangements with Amazon.com Inc, as well as major broadcast and cable companies such as Walt Disney Co’s ESPN and ABC networks, ViacomCBS Inc, and Fox Corp, making Amazon the exclusive partner for its “Thursday Night Football” games.
(In Bengaluru, Chavi Mehta reported; Aditya Soni edited)/n
