Apple has started to make significant investments in live sports, such as MLS Season Pass and MLB Friday Night Baseball. According to a recent story from The Information, Apple is still unsure about whether it would make a bid for the media rights that the NBA is now shopping around.
Along with two national TV deals, the NBA specifically intends to sell a national streaming-only bundle. According to the article, the NBA wants to “triple its existing revenue” from Broadcast contracts.
The NBA now has two TV partners for TV deals: Walt Disney’s ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery. Amazon and Google would be acquiring streaming rights. However, both of these businesses want to decrease costs and have recommended reducing sports spending as a method to.
But Apple is the $1 trillion gorilla in the room. According to The Information, Google and Amazon are the only two businesses that have so far expressed interest in the streaming bundle. Apple allegedly hasn’t decided whether to submit a proposal. This comes after a previous CNBC story that stated Apple would be interested in NBA rights. Apple had a significant role in the discussions surrounding the NFL Sunday Ticket streaming rights, but Google ultimately won that deal.
