Wednesday September 27, 2023

MLS Eyes Reduced Linear Rights After Huge Streaming Deal

  • Major League Soccer is in line for a reduced linear streaming deal.
  • The league inked a $2.5 billion streaming deal with Apple.
MLS
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Front Office Sports Today

Taylor Swift Takes NFL to New Heights

Taylor Swift and her rumored relationship have brought in a new, more female-heavy audience.
Listen Now
September 27, 2023 | Podcast
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

Major League Soccer made a huge splash with its streaming rights deal, but the pact will reportedly eat into what it can make on its next linear rights deal.

The U.S. soccer league turned heads last month with its 10-year deal with Apple for $250 million per season. 

But the hidden cost, according to sources who spoke with Forbes, is that the league can no longer offer exclusive rights to its linear broadcasters.

  • ESPN is reportedly offering around $40 million over four years.
  • Current rights holder Fox Sports is interested in keeping MLS, but has only offered $7 million per season.
  • Spanish-language rights holder Univision could retain those rights. The network is paying $15 million per season for MLS.

ESPN and Fox Sports currently pay a combined $75 million per season. Around $25 million of its total rights haul went to the US Soccer Federation.

Betting on Betting

MLS has also tapped into the growing sports betting industry, agreeing to a reported $270 million deal with Endeavor’s sports betting data service IMG Arena earlier this month.

Team values are on the rise as well. In June, the Seattle Sounders sold a 3-5% stake in the team at a reported value of $680 million — a price that may have been a discount, since the deal didn’t come with any team control.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Taylor Swift at Chiefs vs. Bears game.

Taylor Swift NFL Hype Likely To Continue Another Week

Swift could drive blockbuster TV ratings for NBC's "Sunday Night Football."

Will Sports Benefit From New Streaming Alliance?

Advocacy group involves many of sports streaming's largest players

Miami Is A New Soccer Hub With FIFA, Argentina Moves

FIFA is moving 100+ employees to a new South Florida office.

Fire Owner Mansueto Bets On Messi To Elevate His Own Team

MLS team owner plans series of promotions, game enhancements
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Taylor Swift Takes NFL to New Heights (w/ Andrew Brandt)

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

Lillard And Giannis Pairing Could Be Big For The NBA, Too

Bucks to be featured on national TV 19 times this season
September 27, 2023

Magic Johnson Open To Knicks Minority Ownership Stake

Basketball Hall of Famer only interested in specific NBA franchise
Golden State Warriors majority owner Joe Lacob walks alone the baseline during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Chase Center.
September 27, 2023

Warriors Owner Reportedly Adding A Bay Area WNBA Franchise

An official announcement could come as soon as early October.
NFL concussions
September 27, 2023

The NFL’s $1B Battle Over Concussion Settlement Heats Up

The NFL is seeking at least $1.2 billion from its risk carriers.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago
Fanatics
New York
Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, Inc.
USA - Multiple Locations
Franchise expands broadcasting reach after reaching a deal with a local TV station.

Utah Jazz Launch Streaming Service Amid RSN Shakeup

An annual Jazz+ streaming pass will cost $125.50.
Coach Prime bringing improved tv ratings.
September 26, 2023

Coach Prime's Colorado Changing College Football Viewing Habits

The excitement around Deion Sanders and Colorado is helping drive record September TV ratings for college football.
Chiefs-Bears was the most-watched NFL game on any network this week — averaging 24.3 million viewers on FOX.
September 26, 2023

CBS Nets 13-Year High in September NFL Viewership

This month’s NFL on CBS broadcasts averaged 18.69 million viewers.
Viewership for TNF on Amazon is up 21% through two weeks over last season.
September 26, 2023

Amazon Gets Back-to-Back 'Thursday Night Football' Ratings Wins

Amazon's TNF viewership is up 21% through two weeks over last season.
First Take vs. FS1
September 26, 2023

Sharpe: 'First Take' Would Still Beat 'Undisputed' Without Stephen A.

Even if Smith leaves, Sharpe said he will still beat Skip Bayless in the ratings.
September 25, 2023

ESPN Reportedly Closing Studios In Aftermath Of Layoffs

ESPN's Seaport studio will reportedly close by 2025.
Ohio State players celebrate after after their defeat of Notre Dame in the final seconds at Notre Dame Stadium.
September 25, 2023

Ohio State-Notre Dame Scores Historic 10.5M Viewers for NBC

It was NBC’s second-most-watched regular-season college football game ever.
The in-market KnightTime+ streaming service will offer 69 regular-season games.
September 25, 2023

Vegas Golden Knights Launch New Streaming Model Amid RSN Fallout

The KnightTime+ streaming service will offer 69 regular-season games.