• Loading stock data...
Saturday, May 3, 2025

Where Does NFL Sunday Ticket Deal Stand? Owners to Get Update

  • Apple remains the frontrunner for package, although a deal may not be finalized for weeks.
  • DirecTV has had the out-of-market game package exclusively since 1994.
NFL-Sunday_Ticket
Shutterstock

IRVING, Texas — Owners will receive an update on the NFL Sunday Ticket negotiations on Wednesday, and there’s a sense a deal for the league’s out-of-market TV package isn’t too far off. 

But a source with knowledge of the negotiations told Front Office Sports that a deal may not be finalized until next month. Apple remains the frontrunner for the package DirecTV has held exclusively since 1994. 

Beyond Apple, Disney, Amazon, and Google have also been vying for Sunday Ticket in recent months.

DirecTV, which isn’t among the bidders, pays $1.5 billion per season under its current deal that expires at season’s end. The NFL is looking for as much as $3 billion annually with a new deal. 

One hang-up over an NFL-Apple deal for Sunday Ticket is how Apple would distribute it, which was first reported by the New York Post

Apple had sought to put it on its Apple TV+ service with no markup over its regular $6.99 fee. Apple TV+ is also offered as part of Apple’s popular Apple One bundle. 

That’s a steep discount from the nearly $300 charged per season by DirecTV, and NFL’s TV partners have voiced concerns over Apple offering Sunday Ticket for such a low price. 

Apple and the NFL have already linked up for one deal this year. In September, it was announced Apple Music would replace Pepsi as the NFL’s Super Bowl Halftime Show partner. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The Future of TV Ratings Is Here, and Sports Is the Big..

Nielsen aims to make its Big Data + Panel the standard for broadcasters.
exclusive

Bill Belichick’s PR Nightmare Is a Product of Losing Longtime Confidante

Julian Edelman said 24-year-old Jordon Hudson is in the role of Belichick’s longtime PR chief.
Jordon Hudson

Bill Belichick Accuses CBS of ‘Selectively’ Editing Awkward Girlfriend Clip

The North Carolina coach cited his “professional” relationship with Jordon Hudson.

Burleson: NFL Has Taken Christmas Crown From NBA

After setting streaming records, the NFL will air a Christmas tripleheader in 2025.

Featured Today

Mint juelps

Inside the 120,000-Cup Mint Julep Frenzy of Kentucky Derby Weekend

The official cocktail at Churchill Downs costs $22—or $5,000.
May 1, 2025

How Larry Collmus Became the Longest-Running Kentucky Derby Caller

Collmus will call his 15th straight Derby on NBC.
Apr 25, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium
April 30, 2025

The Pirates Are Struggling, But Paul Skenes Fever Is Still Spreading

The 22-year-old pitcher is (finally) giving Pittsburgh something to cheer for.
April 29, 2025

How DJ Adam Amin Mixes Baseball With Bangers

Amin is one of Fox’s top NFL and MLB voices.
Fubo-TV

Fubo Loses Subscribers; Focused on Disney Deal Despite Antitrust Probe

The streaming company plans to debut its planned sports bundle this fall.
May 1, 2025

Formula One Courts Bidders As ESPN Exclusivity Laps Out

The motorsports property is in the final year of its ESPN deal.
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; ESPN president John Skipper during the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium.
exclusive
May 2, 2025

Former ESPN President John Skipper Leaving Meadowlark Media

Skipper co-founded the company with host Dan Le Batard in 2021.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Portfolio Players is our bi-weekly spotlight on the athletes and investors reshaping the business of sports. This week, venture capitalist Kai Cunningham unpacks why athletes land top deals and how the usual investing rules don’t always apply.
April 29, 2025

NFL Draft Hits Historic Viewership Highs Thanks to Sanders Saga

Drama around the fall of Shedeur Sanders likely contributes to robust viewership.
April 25, 2025

NFL Draft Round 1 Draws 13.6M Viewers, Second-Highest Ever

With stars staying on the board, viewers tuned in.
April 25, 2025

Goodell: Three NFL Games Every Christmas Moving Forward

The league is returning to scheduling three games on the holiday this season.
April 25, 2025

Knicks, Rangers to See Big Cut in MSG Networks Media-Rights Fees

The teams will each see big reductions in their local media-rights fees.