A report that surfaced late Friday from Puck News claimed Apple had walked away from negotiations for the NFL Sunday Ticket package.
However, Front Office Sports reports a source with knowledge on the negotiations says not to count out the tech giant just yet.
While the NFL is still reportedly seeking to double it’s annual rights fee for the service to $3 billion, Apple continues to be the frontrunner and logical choice to serve as the home for the NFL’s out-of-market contests.
Apple has already signed a contract with the NFL to be the presenting sponsor of the league’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, and is one of the few companies that can afford a loss-leader as large as NFL Sunday Ticket.
Another point that could compel Apple back into negotiations with the league is the fact that Sunday Ticket is the league’s final media package available for purchase until 2033. The league inked 10-year contracts FOX, CBS, NBC, ESPN, and Amazon Prime Video for its television packages. If Apple would like to get into the NFL broadcasting space, this is the last opportunity for the long-term.
