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Apple is contemplating scooping up the NFL’s available media rights along with a stake in NFL Media in a single multibillion-dollar deal, sources tell Front Office Sports.
The NFL is currently fielding offers for three assets: an equity stake in NFL Media, the “NFL Sunday Ticket” package for out-of-market games, and livestreaming games on mobile devices.
Apple wants to bundle them all into one deal, said sources.
It would send a shot across the bow of rival Amazon, the frontrunner to buy up to 49% of NFL Media (which includes NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and NFL.com) — as well as create must-see content for Apple TV+.
Apple posted record revenue of $365.8 billion in fiscal 2021 and has a market capitalization of nearly $2.7 trillion. The tech giant has more than $200 billion in cash and marketable securities on hand for possible deals — double the cash and marketable securities of Amazon.
Apple’s Sporting Moves
Investment firm Wedbush wrote Apple has begun an “aggressive hunt” for sports rights.
- Apple has talked to MLB about carrying a package of baseball games in 2023.
- In the coming years, analyst Dan Ives predicted Apple will spend billions on pro sports rights.
- Apple bought the rights to “The Dynasty,” a 10-part documentary about the New England Patriots and is also planning a four-part documentary on Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson, “They Call Me Magic.”
Multiple messages left with Apple were not returned. The NFL declined comment for this story.
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