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Apple hoped that it may ink a soccer streaming deal that included future VR content material, however the NFL was reportedly unwilling to barter offers on content material that did not but exist.
Apple is understood for its stubbornness when negotiating contracts, but it surely met a formidable opponent with the NFL when discussing Sunday Ticket. In the end, talks fell aside, and Apple backed off, however new info gives perception as to why.
In keeping with The Athletic, Apple and the NFL butted heads over pricing, contract lengths, and notably, VR content material. Regardless of the NFL not providing any such content material at present, Apple hoped to safe rights for its upcoming Apple VR platform.
“It is a well-known indisputable fact that Apple is on the verge of going huge in AR and VR,” Tom Richardson, senior vp of Mercury Intermedia and an adjunct professor at Columbia College’s sports activities administration program. “And it has been extensively reported for the final couple of years, ’23 may very well be a breakout yr.”
Nonetheless, the NFL had by no means agreed on such a contract, which would offer Apple with identified and unknown rights. So, if there was ever VR content material for the NFL, Apple would have already got secured them forward of time.
The NFL seemingly desires to maintain any future AR or VR efforts separate so it could possibly negotiate new offers. This, together with Apple’s aggressive worth technique, are what’s suspected to have misplaced Apple the Sunday Ticket rights.
Apple already has rights to Main League Baseball and Main League Soccer, so the lack of Sunday Ticket is not the top of its sports activities efforts. Additionally, NFL Sunday Ticket is simply streaming rights for out-of-market video games — there will probably be different alternatives for Apple to safe American Soccer streaming rights.
Apple Music will probably be sponsoring the Tremendous Bowl LVII halftime present with Rihanna headlining. Anticipate the corporate to additional its attain into sports activities because it seeks to draw extra customers to Apple TV+ and its sports activities packages.