NFL Sunday Ticket is one step closer to be being property of Mickey Mouse. According to Disney CEO Bob Chapek, the company is “in discussions and negotiations” to take over Sunday Ticket.
The package has been a DirecTV exclusive since 1994. In October, Mike Florio reported that the satellite service isn’t likely to be out of the package entirely. It would continue to carry the out-of-market package on satellite. Disney is in discussions to handle streaming distribution.
Chapek told CNBC the Sunday Ticket “would make a particularly good addendum to our ESPN+ service.” That would likely be a catalyst for not significant growth for the service, which is coming off of a strong fiscal year.
The NFL is reportedly open to innovation for Sunday Ticket. That could mean customers would be able to customize their package. Under DirecTV, the only option was to pay for the entire package.
Last month, there was a report that the NFL wanted Apple to walk away with the rights. Whether it is Apple or ESPN+, what is clear is that the league is serious about a streaming partner that could provide a variety of options for how fans spend their money.
