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Apple Seeks NFL Assets in Major Bundled Deal

  • Apple wants NFL Media and ‘NFL Sunday Ticket’ bundled into one transaction.
  • Cash-rich tech giant has more than $200 billion on hand.
Apple NFL Media
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SPORTS/Design: Alex Brooks

Apple is contemplating scooping up the NFL’s available media rights along with a stake in NFL Media in a single multibillion-dollar deal, sources tell Front Office Sports.

The NFL is currently fielding offers for three assets: an equity stake in NFL Media, the “NFL Sunday Ticket” package for out-of-market games, and livestreaming games on mobile devices.

Apple wants to bundle them all into one deal, said sources.

It would send a shot across the bow of rival Amazon, the frontrunner to buy up to 49% of NFL Media (which includes NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and NFL.com) — as well as create must-see content for Apple TV+.

Apple posted record revenue of $365.8 billion in fiscal 2021 and has a market capitalization of nearly $2.7 trillion. The tech giant has more than $200 billion in cash and marketable securities on hand for possible deals — double the cash and marketable securities of Amazon.

Apple’s Sporting Moves

Investment firm Wedbush wrote Apple has begun an aggressive huntfor sports rights. 

  • Apple has talked to MLB about carrying a package of baseball games in 2023. 
  • In the coming years, analyst Dan Ives predicted Apple will spend billions on pro sports rights.
  • Apple bought the rights to “The Dynasty,” a 10-part documentary about the New England Patriots and is also planning a four-part documentary on Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson, “They Call Me Magic.”

Multiple messages left with Apple were not returned. The NFL declined comment for this story.

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