Wired
It may no longer be appropriate to describe Apple as a computer (hardware) company. It turns out that the company, which has an overwhelming presence not only in software but also in entertainment, is eager to bid for distribution rights in the National Football League (NFL).
Bid amount to billions of dollars
Just as baseball is a national sport for Japan, American football events are a big celebration in the United States. In particular, the Super Bowl, the NFL’s championship deciding match, which is at the top of the football league, is known as the largest sporting event in the United States.
This giant “golden goose” cannot be indifferent to one of the largest tech companies in the United States. According to Front Office Sports, Apple is currently considering bidding on billions of dollars for the right to distribute the NFL’s Sunday afternoon broadcast package, the Sunday Ticket.
Since 1994, Sunday tickets have been owned by DirecTV and have been broadcast on satellite TV owned by DirecTV. However, due to the fact that this contract will expire in 2022 and DirecTV’s management is not going well, it is expected that another company will hold the rights after 2023.
Amazon is also keenly interested
Apple recently released an NFL documentary on the Apple TV +, but it’s not the only one showing interest.
Although only a limited number of companies can raise more than $ 3 billion a year (¥ 345 billion), Amazon and ESPN, a Disney company, were interested as of last fall. Already, Amazon has taken over Thursday night’s rights from FOX for $ 1 billion a year.
Regarding Apple’s consideration of bidding, news site Ars Technica said, “For companies with more than $ 200 billion in cash and securities, this is equal to the money they have spent,” at least financially. He points out that there will be no barriers to acquiring rights.
In addition, Apple is said to be negotiating weekday broadcasting rights with MLB, the largest baseball organization, and in any case, it seems that it is positive for live distribution of professional sports.
Source: Ars Technica, CNBC
(kihachi)
Source: iPhone Mania