Apple is Looking to Acquire NBA Streaming Rights by 2025, Amidst Bally Sports Fallout

Isaiah Richard, Tech Times 08 August 2023, 09:08 pm

The National Basketball Association of the United States is one of the top basketball franchises and sports leagues in the world, with Apple looking to acquire its streaming rights amidst a golden opportunity. This is because of Bally Sports' (under Diamond Sports) current financial problems that put them in a bind to renew their contracts.

Of course, it is not only Apple that is part of the possible future streaming platform of the NBA, as other companies are also possible destinations for these digital rights.

Apple is Looking to Acquire NBA Streaming Rights

(Photo : Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Bloomberg reported that the NBA is looking for a third streaming partner for its next contract renewal, with Apple being one of the top contenders that have expressed their interest in the league. The next contract renewal will take place in 2025, with Warner Bros. Discovery and ESPN already enjoying an exclusive negotiation window for its contract renewal.

Apple, along with Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, and more are potential platforms that will tap into Bally Sports for the digital streaming rights of the NBA.

It is known that earlier this year, Apple expressed their interest in acquiring the NBA's digital rights, but current contract holders WBD and ESPN already own it.

Bally Sports is Seeing Problems in Renewing

According to 9to5 Mac, Bally Sports is seeing financial problems in renewing its contract with the NBA's streaming rights, especially with its parent company, Diamond Sports, undergoing bankruptcy.

It is unknown if Apple had already secured these rights or is in talks with Bally Sports regarding the NBA, but with its known interest in the league, it is expected as among those that would tap into them for a possible deal.

Apple TV+'s Focus on Sports

For the past years, it was seen how Apple has fought to bid on the National Football League's (NFL) Sunday Ticket to arrive on the Apple TV+ as the DirecTV contract is ending. The company expressed its massive interest in acquiring the Sunday Ticket for its sports streaming, but it was not able to secure it as it went to YouTube TV.

However, it was not the only sports league available on Apple TV+, as there is also the Major League Soccer (MLS), the football league that is centered in America. T-Mobile subscribers are given the chance to stream MLS on Apple TV+ for free, with other sports league streaming coming under extra charges and not part of the original subscription.

Apple TV+ rose to one of the top streaming platforms now, and this is because of its diverse content offerings from drama, biopics, comedy, and now, sports. The Cupertino giant is looking to grow its portfolio of sports leagues present in the streaming platform, with the NBA being on its list, expressing massive interest in its streaming rights acquisition.