Friday, July 17, 2026

Apple Could Bid For Premier League, EFL Rights

  • Tech giant behind hit series ‘Ted Lasso’ could turn fiction into reality.
  • Apple and Amazon are also jousting for Pac-12 media rights in the U.S.
English League rights up for sale.
Stuart Martin-USA TODAY NETWORK

The competition for sports media rights between tech giants Apple and Amazon is heating up.

Apple might take a run at a range of English soccer games, according to Bloomberg.

The global giant behind the hit series “Ted Lasso” would allow Apple to stream Premier League games in the U.K. as well lower-league matches from the English Football League, according to the report.

Apple made its first big move into live sports last year by signing a $2.5 billion, 10-year deal with Major League Soccer. 

“Pushing into English football would pit Apple against entrenched media companies such as Sky and Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., which last year agreed to a joint venture with BT Sport,” wrote Bloomberg. 

“It also could throw down the gauntlet with Amazon, which has become a force in streaming European football.”

MLS Cup in front of advertisement for Apple as the new media partner for the league

Apple And MLS Reveal Streaming Plan In First Year of $2.5B Deal

As part of historic deal, ‘MLS Season Pass’ launches Feb. 1, 2023.
November 16, 2022

In the U.S., both Apple and Amazon are finalists in negotiations for Pac-12 media rights, said sources. They’re competing against Disney’s ESPN.

Apple is also gearing up to offer a second season of “Friday Night Baseball” with MLB.

Amazon, meanwhile, made its big jump into live sports via an $11 billion, 11-year deal to exclusively stream the NFL’s “Thursday Night Football” through 2033. 

As part of its growing relationship with the NFL, Amazon recently scored the rights to the league’s first-ever “Black Friday” game in 2023.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Tom's Watch Bar

Sports Bars Are Cashing In From Summer of Soccer

The World Cup has brought a windfall to America’s biggest sports bars.

MLS Commish: ‘We’ve Got a Lot of Boats’ on Soccer’s Rising Tide

The league eyes significant growth in the wake of a massive World Cup.
Nate Burleson Front Office Sports

Nate Burleson: ‘I’d Gladly Take a Pay Cut’ for CBS to Hire Travis Kelce

Burleson also had high praise for CBS’s hiring of Russell Wilson.

Falcons Owner Arthur Blank: Atlanta Is All In on More FIFA

He said Atlanta would “certainly want” to join a potential 2038 bid.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/17/26 – World Cup Final Preview Prices, Bam-Herro Aftermath, LeBron’s Waiting Game

0:00

Featured Today

Jun 16, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; France forward Michael Olise (11) controls the ball against Senegal during a Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium

Where World Cup Stars Go to Customize Their Cleats

The world’s best players turn to a Scottish craftsman for perfect cleats.
July 10, 2026

What the World Cup Means to Erling Haaland’s Tiny Hometown

The tournament’s breakout star is from a rural Norwegian town.
July 10, 2026

Why So Many Media Outlets Are Rushing Into Sports

Sports coverage has ballooned in every corner of media.
Pillow Fight Championship
July 8, 2026

How Obscure Sports Get Mainstream TV Deals

For niche sports, getting on TV often matters more than getting paid.
ATLANTA, GA - September 05: Georgia Lottery fireworks after the game against the Seattle Mariners at Truist Park on Friday, September 5, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
July 2, 2026

Inside the Spectacle and Science of MLB Fireworks

Postgame fireworks are lighting up baseball for America250.
Jul 14, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; General view of fireworks over Citizens Bank Park during the fourth inning of the All-Star Game.

MLB All-Star Game Ratings Get a Boost From World Cup

The midseason showcase’s audience rises with a World Cup lead-in.
2026 ESPY Awards New York Knicks
July 16, 2026

5 Takeaways From the 2026 ESPY Awards

The annual ESPN awards show returned to New York this year.
Jul 11, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Conor McGregor (right) attempts a flying kick at the start of his fight against Max Holloway during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
July 16, 2026

McGregor Return Draws Nearly 16 Million Viewers on Paramount+

UFC 329 trailed Freedom 250 in total and average viewership.
Sponsored

Clase Azul Tequila Founder’s Soccer Ownership

Arturo Lomeli talks about managing a tequila brand and two soccer clubs.
Adam Friedland
July 15, 2026

How the World Cup Turned Adam Friedland Into a Sports Pundit

The comedian says he’ll continue to create sports content post–World Cup.
Former NFL Coache Jon Gruden have a laugh while attending an NFL training camp session ten at the Miller Electric Center, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
July 15, 2026

Can Jon Gruden Reinvent Himself on Play-by-Play?

Gruden will reportedly call a Buccaneers’ preseason game next month.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA- JULY 13: during the Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Heather Barry / Netflix)
Opinion
July 14, 2026

Netflix Bounces Back With Home Run Derby Debut

After its panned coverage of Opening Night, Netflix focused on the field.
John Smoltz acknowledges the crowd during the introduction of returning inductees at the National Baseball Hall of Fame's 2024 induction ceremony Sunday, July 21, 2024, at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, New York.
July 14, 2026

John Smoltz: MLB All-Star Game Is ‘Absolutely’ Still the Best

The Hall of Fame pitcher will call the Midsummer Classic for Fox.