It seems likely that Sunday Ticket will transition exclusively to a streaming service in 2023, as multiple sources have described. Apple and Amazon as precursors to getting the NFL’s off-market package.
disney did not end its negotiations on the package, on which it would proceed ESPN+although the amount Disney announced to the NFL would be much lower than the amount Apple and Amazon discussed.
Because negotiations are ongoing, it’s unclear exactly where the deals are, but sources said it’s likely the NFL will get more than $2 billion a year for Sunday Ticket.
Direc TV, which owns the rights to the package through next season, is currently paying an average of $1.5 billion a year under a deal signed in 2014. DirecTV is negotiating to secure a commercial license that will allow the satellite company to sell Sunday Ticket to restaurants and bars.
A The potential hitch in these negotiations is that the NFL is looking to sell a stake in its media business and its mobile rights at the same time.
Streaming services have surged in deals to deliver the NFL’s out-of-market package.Images: getty
Media and tech companies have shown a lot of interest in Sunday Ticket. Sources said the NFL could use the package’s popularity as an incentive to get one of those deep-pocketed companies to make a bigger purchase.
Apple’s presence as an interested buyer is particularly intriguing, as it has yet to strike a significant deal for live sports rights – although it is likely to land a set of midweek games. of Major League Baseball.
What makes Apple interesting for the NFL is the fact that, unlike Amazon and Disney, it has not already reached an agreement with the NFL.
Of note: Apple was looking for a senior editorial manager for live sports who, according to online publications, would oversee “how some of live TV’s most exciting stories are told on our platform.”
Amazon has undergone some changes to its sports department, bringing in a longtime Amazon insider Jay Marine to supervise the sporting activities of the company. from Amazon Mary Donoghuewho led the negotiations to bring “Thursday Night Football” to Prime Video, will not see his role changed and plays a big part in those ongoing negotiations.
At the front of Disney, CEO Bob Chapeck expressed their desire to land Sunday Ticket and pledged to spend more on content. However, some Disney insiders have been lukewarm towards Sunday Ticket, believing it would be wiser to spend that money elsewhere.
SCS and Fox have clauses in their NFL contracts requiring that Sunday Ticket can only be offered at a higher price, meaning it will likely have a similar price with a new partner as it does with DirecTV.
John Ourand can be reached at jourand@sportsbusinessjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @Ourand_SBJ and read his weekly newsletter.