According to the New York Times (USA), Apple technology company will spend up to 1 billion USD to win the right to broadcast the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup on the Apple TV application, thanks to the effect Messi is bringing from the MLS tournament.
“American technology giant” Apple signed a historic agreement with MLS about 1 year before Messi arrived in the tournament (July 2023), with a total value of up to 2.5 billion USD within 10 years to broadcast all matches on the Apple TV app. Each year, this giant technology company pays the MLS about 250 million USD, which is then distributed to 29 clubs.
Since Messi arrived, the number of people signing up to use Apple TV services to watch MLS matches has skyrocketed. According to Sports Business Journal (USA) magazine, the number of subscribers has reached more than 2 million by early 2024. “However, this success does not stop, 2 years after the historic agreement with MLS tournament, Apple will continue from Messi’s effect and will buy the broadcasting rights for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup held in the US for a value of up to 1 billion USD,” the New York Times said.
“However, if Apple succeeds with the $1 billion deal to own the broadcasting rights for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the value is only 1/4 of the total value of television rights that FIFA (Football Federation) world) expects up to $4 billion. This deal will be the first time FIFA sells rights to one company instead of dividing them into multiple packages globally. It will also expand the field of sports broadcasting of Apple, following the agreement to broadcast the MLB (baseball) and MLS (soccer) tournaments in the US,” the New York Times shared.
In addition, Apple is pursuing the goal of winning the right to broadcast the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and has almost reached an agreement, due to information that FIFA will choose Inter Miami Club and Messi to attend this tournament as the home team. American government, the New York Times emphasized.
