MLS is heading to Apple TV+ as part of a 10-year, $2.5 billion exclusive deal

[TMC]

https://theathletic.com/news/mls-tv-.../cbC0ubEBpHsb/

"Apple TV+ will broadcast every single MLS and Leagues Cup match as part of the deal," reports The Athletic's Sam Stejskal, adding that the deal will be worth $2.5 billion and will start in 2023. "Sources said that the league is leaving space in its broadcast schedule for linear partners, as well, and that ESPN and Univision are both expected to reach agreements to televise MLS matches in the near future. Sports Business Journal reported on Tuesday that the league remains in negotiations with Fox, as well. Any matches broadcast on ESPN, Fox, Univision or any other linear networks will also be shown on Apple TV+." MLS' TV deals with ESPN, Univision and Fox expire at the end of this year. "Apple TV+ matches will not be shown on local television networks, meaning MLS fans will need to subscribe to the streaming service in order to watch their teams on a weekly basis," reports Stejskal. "MLS games will live within a specific app in Apple TV+; MLS full-season ticket holders will be able to access the app at no additional charge."

Apple's exclusive deal with Major League Soccer will be separate from Apple TV+ -- but it's still more bad news for cable

Apple made it clear that its new 10-year deal with MLS reportedly worth $2.5 billion will be for the Apple TV app. So subscribers won't have to buy Apple TV+ to get access to all the MLS games. That said, Apple said a limited number of games will be available for Apple TV+ subscribers. A launch date or pricing plan has yet to be announced. As Samuel Axon and Eric Bangeman point out, the deal is making ESPN and regional sports cable networks nervous: "Major League Soccer dwells just outside the rarified popular sports neighborhood occupied by the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and college football and basketball," they explain. "But even with MLS's relative lack of popularity compared to the other leagues, this announcement from Apple is a Very Big Deal. Live sports is by far the top reason millions of people have yet to cut the cord, severing their ties to cable companies and satellite TV providers. That's merely because the easiest way to follow your hometown team—outside of the NFL, which has all of its games free to air in local markets—is to subscribe to your local cable company or a satellite provider. Those are the folks who carry the regional sports network that has the rights to broadcast your local teams. For a Chicagoan who wants to catch all of the Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, White Sox, Fire, and Red Stars matches, their only choices to follow the action are Marquee Sports Network and NBC Sports Chicago, both of which require a cable or satellite TV subscription." ALSO: Soccer has been seen as a prime target for streaming services because of its younger passionate fan base.