Apple, Disney, and Amazon have all placed bids for the NFL’s out-of-market Sunday Ticket package in recent weeks. Reports indicate that these companies are currently awaiting a response regarding the streaming rights. The NFL is in discussions with all three bidders as it evaluates its options, despite earlier rumors that a deal with Apple was already finalized.
The Sunday Ticket package allows out-of-market viewers to watch all regional NFL games on Sunday afternoons. For nearly three decades, DirecTV has held exclusive rights to distribute the package. However, with the current deal set to expire before the 2023 NFL season, DirecTV is reportedly not looking to renew its exclusivity.
The NFL is reportedly seeking more than $2 billion for the streaming rights and an equity stake in NFL Media, which manages NFL Network and NFL.com. Acquiring Sunday Ticket would significantly enhance Apple’s growing portfolio of live sports content available through its Apple TV app. The company has already forged a partnership with Major League Baseball to stream a weekly “Friday Night Baseball” doubleheader and has secured a 10-year deal with Major League Soccer, allowing every game to be streamed via Apple TV without blackouts.
As for when the NFL will announce the future of Sunday Ticket, the timeline remains uncertain. Given that DirecTV retains rights for the upcoming season, there isn’t immediate pressure for a public announcement. In other news, various Apple products are generating buzz, including the anticipated public beta for iOS 26 expected in July, and the upcoming iPhone 17 models, which have seen a surge of rumors regarding their features and design.
The excitement surrounding the next-generation products continues to grow as their release dates approach.
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