Apple is currently in the final stages of its attempt to secure the rights to host MLB Sunday Night Baseball, with only one other contender left in the running, as reported by The Athletic.
Speculations started in June that Apple was interested in adding Sunday Night Baseball to its lineup after ESPN announced the end of its national TV deal. By July, Apple had officially submitted a bid and is now one of the two remaining contenders, competing against NBC/Peacock for the rights to Sunday Night Baseball and first-round playoff games.
Initially, Sports Business Journal believed Apple was the frontrunner to secure the rights previously held by ESPN. However, ESPN made another bid last month, competing against NBC and Apple for the rights.
According to The Athletic, ESPN’s primary interest may lie in weekday games, as it aims to enhance its digital presence, leaving the Sunday Night Baseball package up for grabs between NBC and Apple. Meanwhile, Netflix is reportedly looking to acquire the Home Run Derby rights.
Following the cancellation of ESPN’s deal, MLB has been diversifying its broadcasting across multiple networks to cover the $570 million owed for the upcoming year. Apple’s global reach and unique offerings, such as Friday Night Baseball in over 60 countries, make it a preferred partner for MLB, despite NBC’s limited reach.
Apple’s previous deal for Friday Night Baseball was priced at $85 million per year, and it is expected to pay more for the prestigious Sunday Night Baseball package. The deal is set to run for three years, aligning with other MLB rights deals for a reevaluation in 2028.
Apple’s deep pockets and innovative content offerings position it well to become the caretaker of Sunday Night Baseball, potentially leading to larger deals in the future and establishing a significant presence in sports broadcasting.
