FIFA, the global governing body of soccer, is reportedly in advanced talks with Apple regarding the worldwide television rights for a new major tournament. The tournament is set to be a monthlong event, styled after the World Cup and featuring top teams. It is scheduled to take place for the first time in the United States next summer.
Details of the Potential Deal
According to sources familiar with the matter, the agreement between FIFA and Apple could be announced in the near future. The deal is said to be valued at around a quarter of FIFA’s initial estimated amount of $4 billion. There are uncertainties about whether the agreement will include any free-to-air rights, potentially limiting access to the event to Apple TV+ subscribers.
Apple’s Growing Influence in Soccer Streaming
If the deal is finalized, it would mark the first time FIFA has entered into a single worldwide broadcast contract. Apple has been expanding its presence in soccer streaming, having previously secured a significant 10-year, $2.5 billion deal for streaming Major League Soccer globally in 2022.
Streaming services like Apple, Amazon, and Netflix are increasingly investing in live sports to attract more subscribers. For instance, Amazon Prime has been streaming Thursday night N.F.L. games, while Apple has a deal to stream Major League Baseball games. Netflix, on the other hand, focuses more on sports documentaries but has recently ventured into live “sports-adjacent programming.”
The tournament organized by FIFA is expected to draw interest from broadcasters and commercial partners worldwide, featuring a diverse mix of successful teams from various regions, including Europe, the hub of top soccer talent.
