Apple may be close to closing a deal with soccer's world governing body FIFA to secure global rights to broadcast a month-long World Cup-style tournament in the United States next summer, according to a new report. It is said that there is.
Apple TV+ could broadcast a new World Cup-style soccer tournament
It is reported that the agreement between FIFA and Apple could be finalized as early as this month. new york times Said. It cited three anonymous sources.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has presided over multiple failed attempts to launch a new tournament, including plans for 2021 in China, which fell victim to the coronavirus pandemic.
The report notes that the deal may be worth only a quarter of FIFA's original estimate of $4 billion. And it's not yet clear whether the deal will limit broadcasts to Apple TV+ or include free-to-air rights for broader screening. Even the name of the tournament remains in doubt, but it appears that “Mundial de Club FIFA'' is being considered.
Big soccer moves on Apple TV+
If the deal goes through, it will be the first time FIFA has agreed to a single global deal. The agency also plans to hold an expanded 48-team World Cup tournament in the United States in 2026.
And it would mark another big move in soccer by Apple, which signed a 10-year, $2.5 billion deal to stream Major League Soccer games in 2022.
Apple also owns the rights to stream Major League Baseball games with its Friday Night Baseball series.
But things aren't going according to plan so far.
The tournament is scheduled for June 15 to July 13, 2025, after the end of the European football season.
The report suggested that a “combination of poor planning and delays” had allowed broadcasters and commercial partners to avoid paying the huge sums of money that FIFA had expected for new tournaments. And the sponsors have not agreed to the $150 million FIFA is seeking for the sponsorship package. FIFA has also not yet signed a stadium deal for the match.
“This deal needs to be finalized quickly in order to be announced ahead of Upfront late next month. In the meantime, entertainment companies are discussing future programming and trying to persuade advertisers,” the report said. Says.
Neither FIFA nor Apple have commented on the matter.
“As a matter of general practice, FIFA neither confirms nor denies commercial negotiations,” FIFA said in a statement.