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Apple is a natural home for football. But the reason why is more complicated than most people have considered.
Global football might be a huge industry, but in financial terms it pales in comparison next to a company like Apple.
So why do Apple want to invest in football?
Nick Harris explains, Marco Bevilacqua illustrates.
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#Apple #Football #Soccer
Shouldn’t the actual title be “Why Apple bought MLS TV rights”?
MLS is clearly a starting point
They're implying that Apple could buy up the rights to big European leagues and do the same thing. Say they pick La Liga, and stream that league around the entire world. They would want to pick a league with growth potential that they could attain the nigh-exclusive rights to. I picked La Liga because if that league could bundle the viewing rights from all their clubs (which they couldn't do in the past and maybe still can't) into a tidy package for an Apple or a Netflix to stream, they'd benefit immensely. But it wouldn't be as easy to get as it was to get MLS, which was a single business entity from the start.
But where would the bait be in that click?
Yep exactly. There rumours of Apple obtaining the rights to the Bundesliga. Which in my opinion would be great for the league but the fans wouldn't like it.@@eksortso
The title should be "why do tech giants need...yarrrrrrr...conTENT!"
When they introduce ad breaks during VAR checks that’s when “games gone” goes from meme to reality
They ain't doing that lmao Apple ain't dumb
@@Culereterno1899 why do you think they tried trialling drinks breaks a few years back? sports that have breaks in play that allow for commercials make more money than the premier league, despite the premier league having exponentially more viewers. you’d be silly if you believe they aren’t going to try and figure out a way to get a piece of that cake
@@celtic69 Drinks breaks are there for reason it's because of the temperature as the world is getting hotter year by year And I am sorry apple or anyone else ain't taking the thrill out of people while stuffing ads in between major decisions by the ref via other refs or by var That's Stupid The reaction from the consumers would be too much to risk this on
@@Culereterno1899 you're VERY naive
@@T.E.S.S. How do u know?
The title implies that Apple just straight up buying the football sport itself or something. 😂😂
If there wasnt goverment rules, they would. It wouldnt even be that expensive.
I am sure FIFA will find a way to sell it.
only to a simpleton
I mean, the title shows the threat... Apple has the ability to but a lot more
@@yt.personal.identification Imagine there is a company called FIFA where it actually would be a small upgrade if ur product was sold to Apple. How corrupt and trash the company has to be.
The biggest advantage MLS on Apple TV is that it is not region locked. Every other American sports streaming service (which are on their own website) have blackouts.
true espacially for international viewers. I do not realy cared about MLS. But every time i open the Apple TV app i wonder if I should give MLS a chance.
Also, MLS didn't have multiple international TV deals which made them able to sell international rights to one company easily. EPL would have to wait for 20 deals to expire
And that's supposedly why they backed off the rights for the English Premier League - no option for global rights.
But to watch you have to give money to Apple.
far better than giving different subscriptions broken up to anyone else lmao@@TheJinxCast
I have to admit football has changed, used to love watching Real Madrid on BeIN sports. The spanish commentators were great, the coverage was great. Now it’s difficult to find matches, some on espn plus. With the MLS pass, I honestly don’t mind it that a company like Apple took it over. You can watch on any device, you can choose between english or spanish, watch live or from the beginning, and immediately after the game is finished you can watch the entire match on replay. The intro before a match and the transitions after goals/replay is clean. As everyone mentioned, there’s no blackouts which is unheard of in american sports. You can watch any club on the season pass. Plus it’s a 10 year deal, even better instead of switching companies very few years. I’m enjoying it.
tbh, makes watching MLS WAY easier than before, you would have to channel surf from ESPN, FOX Sports, Unimas.
Yes, that's the great thing about these type of monopolistic companies. They sell you confort in exchange for unyielding obedience. That way you don't question where their products come from, or how their workers are treated in the name of maximum profit. You just open your mouth and shove in everything they sell you
yeah, Apple is definitely not the worst company. but if they get a monopoly it's going to be hard for them to resist ruining it, especially if their business starts struggling in other areas
MLS is a ridiculous championship. Why would anyone pay anything to watch that? Even outside Europe you find much better leagues. Mexico, Argentina and Brazil all have better championships than MLS, let alone any comparison with top European leagues. In the continental tournament, Mexican clubs are almost always the winners against US sides. Last year, Suarez was playing in Brazil and asked to leave in the middle of his 2-year contract citing how physically demanding and competitive the Brazilian championship was for his old age knees. He wanted to join Messi in the much smoother and laid back MLS.
@@user-dd4ib5eb1iShut up, dude. People enjoy what they enjoy.
Longest apple ad I’ve seen in a while.
Tifo Football straight up gave us a description of dystopian Apple dominated future at the end there.
I think the word for it is “advert”
They are Skynet IRL
The title got me thinking that it would be now called iWorld Cup or iEuros. I got worried, I don’t want Arsenal to play in iEPL.
I think we are on an icarly episode
dont want assnal to play. period.
Apple hasn't called a product 'i' something since 2011
Arsenal wouldn't win the league even in the iEPL.
Are you an Arsenal fan?
i mean if i only need one subscription to watch the prem i will gladly take it
literally, I've gladly been consistently paying for ESPN for the last two or three years because they have every La Liga game. make it this easy and people will pirate less.
Why pay for any subscription? I've never paid to watch a prem (or any other) match online in my life. But then I don't have a problem using reliable pirate streaming sites and using ad blockers.
It's reasonably priced and I can afford it, beats dodgy streams filled with viruses and delays. I have no problem paying for it since they offer it for a good price and more importantly, in one service.@@Finn_Lawless
You pay multiple subscriptions? In my country it's a 10$ subscription to watch the entire English Premier league (all matches,1080p) for a whole year. Also the champions league subscription is around 10$ per year but if you just use wifi service from my ISP you get a bundle of 200 Mbps download upload alongside both those subscriptions+ prime+some more for 15$ a month roughly.
@@Finn_Lawlesslink?
Nice ad for an apple headset, when are you guys getting back to football?
Short answer: Apple says "Please step into our walled garden you will love it here and never want to leave" :D
was this an ad for Apple? lol
As an MLS fan in NA I don’t subscribe to the service. I have a hard time believing it’s as successful as they claim.
That's what football needs.. more subscription services to watch the football, which changes every year. Who doesn't want to pay £50 to Sky, £18 to TNT, £9 to Amazon and £15 to Apple every month, just to watch 15 games a season?
All these companies be like: "why do you watch it illegally online" when half the games aren't even streamed and is extremely expensive. I do get Sky Sports for £10 a month but only after haggling with them with getting broadband as well.
i guess the dream is that apple gets all the rights to the prem - as an example, so then its just one subscription
@@alirazajafree3119Except if they get all the rights, they'll have no competition, meaning they'll have free reign over the pricing and you'll end up paying £90 a month and it'll be even worse
i think the difference being Apple is offering £99 per year for all the games, that is surely better than the blood suckers at TNT-Sky
Apple would be a great impact simply because they aren't looking for football to be their main profit maker so will almost certainly offer it cheaper because they are primarily using it to get you into the Apple Eco-system, which leads you to buying their primary profit making products, ie iPhone, MacBook etc... Apple can easily afford to outbid the competition but then offer the product at a knock down price, so you could end up getting a full year of EPL for just £100. That's like two months worth currently.
wow.. I'm scared of such hyper consumerism. felt mildly dystopian.
Agreed, this video was scary racther than exciting honestly
Indeed Consumerism to consume your brain But in truth it’s just monopolies monetizing everything It’s ridiculous Apple recently got sued by DOJ look it up
Mildly...?
It's kinda good tho, all football Leagues and competitions should be in one App ( Apple TV) price should be 100$ is good 🤷♂️
We already live in hyper consumerism, that ship sailed years ago and the genie can never be put back in its bottle. For example, the platform we are having this discussion on is a product of hyper consumerism, and Tifo/Athletic who produced the content we're discussing have had 5 rounds of private equity funding.
I like the accidental substitution of "goggle-type headset" for "google-type headset" haha
For a company that was adament not to use the term "VR", in favour of "Spacial Computing", I bet they'd love being mistakenly called a "Google-type headset"!
You didn't mention that Messi's contract includes him getting a cut of all new international MLS on apple tv contracts. If Messi did indeed bring in 1m new subs, that deal has paid him handsomely as well. Another note to include with your numbers is that all MLS season ticket holders receive a free subscription to the platform and in the weeks prior to Messi signing, T-Mobile gave away free subscriptions to MLS for all its subscribers. That is to say the initial 1m subs are probably skewed by promotions and giveaways. Nonetheless it's good to hear the numbers moving in a positive direction.
Your statement is very misleading. Messi will earn a cut of ad revenue from all "inter miami" games that are streamed on apple tv.
@@100ap That is still huge. You're not only receiving wages plus bonuses, you also have a cut of the money the team makes while televised...
@@chillaxboi2109 yes its alot but it's way waayyy less than he stated above. Like the video said, apple tv is making 97 billion in revenue per year, and messi contract said he would earn a 10 percent cut so that would be 9.7 billion. But like I said it's not 10 percent of all apple tv revenue but 10 percent of ad revenue for inter Miami game.
@@100ap I think we can assume at least a 20-30% is his contribution minimum. So he'd still be getting around 2-3 billions per year WITHOUT CONSIDERING WAGES AND OTHER BONUSES.
@@chillaxboi2109 inter Miami isn't generating 2 to 3 billion in ad revenue so how could they pay messi that much?
Unfortunately with tech companies the answer is usually because they can
Imagine if they replace footballs with genetically mutated giant apples.
That would be awesome.
As a football fan I can honestly say i can't wait for the richest company in the world to exploit me for profits from something i enjoy. What football fans really need right now is someone to spend a stupid amount of money on something and use it for rent seeking to make us pay forever.
+++
yes, totally agree. but people should just stop watching if they disagree. I disagreed with holding the WC in Qatar and I didn't watch it. stop giving them your money if you don't like it, sometimes short term sacrifices need to be made in order for long term gains (... and in fact, there are 'other ways' of watching anyway ;) )
It’s sad that the beautiful game isn’t beautiful anymore ,it’s a business ,you gotta subscribe to 10 different platforms to watch all the games 😢
Its been like this for 40 years
I've been pirating 15+ years, no idea why people pay
All most of us really want is EPL, CL and maybe FA cup. The rest we can get highlights from youtube.
its been a big business since the Premier League formed, read any book on its history it grew the game, but at a cost
Football is one of the most corrupt and evil sports in the world. The ‘beautiful game’ moniker could not be more ironic
A goggle type headset * Not Google lol
Aw you beat me
It's only a matter of time until you watch the Prem on Apple TV.
I’m really scared about the future of this game
no need bro, long as 22 dudes want to kick a ball football will go on
that horse has already bolted. I can barely watch top-level men's football any more, greed has almost ruined it for me. and yes, it will get even worse, 100%
Ted Lasso died for this.
Ted lasso isn't dead is he?
@@raymondqiu8202Don´t believe the hype!
@@raymondqiu8202 lmaooo
@@T.E.S.S. I don't know bruh coz I only watched season 1 and 2 and the show is so emotional I could believe he died in s3
@@raymondqiu8202 Nah I think he just meant like the show's run, apple stopped making Ted Lasso (arguably) for this.
Was this video sponsored by Apple because it certainly felt like it
Yeah it kinda reeks of it huh?
"Sponsored is such a negative word, let's call it a 'monetary encouragement' instead" - Apple, probably
RIGHT?
is this just an add for the visionpro?
well, let me introduce you to the future, its 2040: Apple has the rights to every important competition, the games are avaliable exclusively via Apple TV which is only avaliable to download on official Apple products.
Apple doesn't disclose how many users their individual digital services have. They lump in all revenue and metrics under "services" and that could mean people buying extra storage on iCloud or Apple Music or people who've rented a movie on iTunes. We have no idea and no way to actually compare that. They give away millions of accounts for Apple TV+ and other services with your new devices every year and yet they convert a schockingly low amount to paying customers after trial. Yet they count all those as "active users" even if they are getting it for free with their phone. I think Prime Video and Netflix are much more globally accessible and inclusive, platform agnostic and that should matter waaaaay more to the leagues than a huge chunk of cash from Apple. I don't think "market cap" has any relation to how much cash any of these companies would be willing to spend. It's more about who sees the most benefit and has the strongest pitch.
I did have 2 or 3 months of access to Apple TV+ for exactly the reason you described. And I can't say I'm that shocked by a presumably low conversation rate. I don't remember exactly when that was, but I remember watching Foundation S1 and that awesome Dinosaur documentary. In the next two weeks I watched basically everything from their portfolio I was at least mildly interested in. I didn't watch anything in at least the final 3 weeks of my subscription, because there was virtually nothing left. I don't know if it depends on the region you live in, but at least here in Germany what they had to offer back at the time bordered on 'pathetic' - and not from the non-pathetic side of that area. So I can totally see why extensive investment in the service might be needed.
Yall are part of THE ATHLETIC, I promise you you can afford stock photos of piles of money. Football and journalism are both art, and respecting visual artists by not using AI should be part of the deal.
Bruh fight for something serious
Why do I think this video is just advertisement for Apple?
Ted Lasso was a classic. Loved it. Only paid Apple TV for that. Haven’t needed it since.
Apple is on the cusp of revolutionizing sports consumption. The immersive format on the avp for sports is a massive upgrade from watching regular tv. The new MLS clip dropped and I was just stunned for 5 mins straight.
The apple TV Euro subscription price is exclusively available in Mainland Europe?
If this means South Africa isn't bound to DSTV for football, I'm all for it.
Brav, DSTV be holding us hostage.
What a long windup for basic business info...Oh, I can add one, imagine Joe: "Sports entertainment remains appointment television, a consistent driver for streaming services." The thing about the other leagues is that those media rights get pretty fragmented. I don't know if Apple makes a package as neat and tidy as MLS again. Between "google type headset" (famously successful, huh?) and misspelling Univision, the extra clickbait title, this was just a real low-effort video.
the mls was just a minion in apples masterplan
Giving so much power only to one company is scary. We need competition so stuff gets cheaper
You think $99/£99/€99 is too much for an entire season?!
£99/€99/$99 is way too much in a developing country like mine. Different parts of world, different economic situations.
@@benjaminlynch9958 And you think prices will stay at $99/£99/€99 once competition is removed and enough costumers are locked into the system?
@@benjaminlynch9958 an MLS season, they're going to charge way more for european football.
I was actually referring to the amount they charge for their items like phones and tablets and watches and how their monopoly can be detrimental to the consumers. Sure enough, I read today the US govt has sued Apple over breach of anti Trust law which is in place to prevent any corporation from becoming too large and strong that they can have monopoly. Threat to free economy - that was my concern.
Ngl would rather pay 10€/month than for 15 different stream services and with dazn for 45€/month…
1:27 The third company is called "Univision" (missed the n at the end)
isn't Apple's coverage of MLB not very good? careful what you wish for. In America, NBC covers the EPL pretty well, aside from the Peacock stuff.
As an avid MLS fan, the MLS Season Pass is a great experience. I love having only one service providing all the matches, with much better reliability. Need better cameras, though.
Gotta say I’ve loved it the last year and change, 99 USD and I get each and every game, even one’s broadcast on cable. MLS had a LOT of issues, but the TV deal is far from one of them
It's fairly well known that Apple did bid for the Premier League rights, but that they backed off when they weren't allowed to sign a global deal. But that's of course not the only source of football, including the World Cup and continental championships. Also, Apple released a sports result tracking app just out of the blue a couple of months ago called Apple Sports, so I think it's clear that sports is a big focus for Apple.
American here. Apple plus is one of the few streaming services I don't have - All the others I only have primarily to watch EPL (peacock and NBC Sports, CL (Paramount Plus), ESPN+ (FA Cup, La Liga, Bundesliga and Carabou). I almost got it for Ted Lasso though!🤣
If you go into an Apple Store in the US and demo the Vision Pro, the demo includes a few seconds of a 3D view of a Miami Goal from right above the net. I think they are already acting on this idea.
Apple is also rumored to buy CBS, Champions League in the Apple app would be huge
NFL too! That would be a game-changer
It’s probably the seller of viewer rights who doesn’t mind selling the tv rights to multiple companies, rather than sell a bulk amount (which would probably mean lower cost) you can spread it around and get several better deals
As a Season Pass owner, I have to say Apple’s stream qualities are by FAR better than Peacock and P+ streams. I think Apple needs to work out some sort of local streaming deal though for local viewers
Soon they sell each half on different streaming services. It has not become more convenient for the customer in the last 10 years, the opposite is true. Here in Europe it feels like you need 20 different streaming services to follow your team for a season. I watch less football it has become annoying. You need a PhD to understand who will broadcast what and when.
Maybe they can get the replay machine to work. Their MLS coverage is just bereft of replays.
i feel like this is a long Ad from Tifo for apple !!!
So this is basically an ad
Do it, take footie from sky and bt please. Be able to choose which any game to watch no matter what time it is on.
That last bit is the description of tech utopia.
Sports streaming is something that benefits from homogenization. Id much rather pay one subscription to see all the sports than have to get peacock and paramount and ESPN to see all the sports leagues I want to
1:28 lol it’s Univision not Univisio 😂
With Amazon not putting a bid in for the next set of PL rights Apple potentially missed a trick not purchasing one or more packages.
The disrespect 😄 of just showing the USA on the map graphic for MLS / Apple and not show Canada as well… which has 3 teams in MLS, Vancouver, Montreal and ⭐️Toronto 🏆🛡️
This just feels like Apple are investing in an ongoing IP. Rather than buying comic/manga or book series to make adaptions for, they can bring Entertainment through Sports, where the content isn’t finite. I just hope they dont try dilute it or massively change it up to “keep it fresh” 5 years down the road or whatever
I feel like if apple bought the rights to stream all games in the the top 5 leagues plus the MLS, saudi league, Champions league and World Cup then apple tv+ are gonna have a huge increase in subscribers since all games they need to watch will be on one platform
One thing that Apple didn't take into account or maybe they don't care (same for MLS) is that still not everyone in the US has reliable, high-speed internet for the streaming much less connected televisions. A very large contingent of households still utilize "traditional" satellite television providers. I am in that camp. Despite living about 40 minutes away from the stadium of an MLS franchise, I cannot watch their matches as I live in an area without high-speed internet options. MLS has basically lost me as a fan as there are now very few, if any, matches on television. Premier League, Bundisliga, Serie A, USL, LigaMX and now even NWSL are more prevalent on network television. I get my "soccer/football fix" without MLS. Because I am not able to follow the local franchise as easily, I don't find myself going to their home matches as often either. In short, this "deal" for MLS, is narrowing their scope of reach and not broadening it necessarily. MLS has further alienated itself with fans with the cookie-cutter kits of the franchises (because they are not true clubs), via the exclusive deal with Adidas. MLS is simply boring when compared to other leagues around the world, including the USL in the US. US soccer needs promotion and relegation to "de-sanitize" professional soccer in the US lead by MLS.
Canada needs to be part of the MLS North America map at 1:07.
It’d be a huge boon for Apple if they could secure the rights for 3pm kick offs for English football if they can find a some type of loophole in the UK broadcasting law as it’s streaming rather than being broadcast.
they won't because such a loophole doesn't exist.
Apple definitely got a dodgy deal with Messi
Why does this video look like an advert
What is a “Google-type headset”?
"If Apple can persuade millions of people worldwide to tune into MLS..." LMAO
I just want to be able to pay a reasonable price to watch all of my clubs games and not have to find some dodgy stream on 3pm Saturday kick offs 😂 If Apple TV had Prem football for £15 a month I would lose my mind
imagine having to check the genius bar instead of VAR
You can't convince me that you'd subscribe MLS in the UK or in mainland Europe.
I wouldnt call it popular, but I am sure there is a contingent of people, especially since Messi is there. There are also people who moved from NA to europe.
Title is confusing🤔🤔
Well presented video as usual but what is a "google type computer"? Are you comparing google cardboard to the vision pro?
He propbably mispoke where he meant Goggle
You best be working on the Germany/Adidas break up!
Univisio?
Vision pro reminds me of ready player one.
"Siri, show me some sponsored content for Apple"
This feels a bit like an ad...
The athletic often runs articles that are basically undisclosed advertisement. Just another step of the athletic dragging tifo's class down to it's level.
Parts of this video felt like an advert for Apple products, which I guess is kind of the point.
How does AI work thru an immersive experience on Apple Vision Pro? I’m imagining being a 12th man on the field, literally on Messi’s shoulder having “in game” experience- as opposed to sitting in a stadium.
Lol. I presume you meant a GOGGLE type headset and not a GOOGLE type headset.
that vision pro!! imagine having a "vip seat " or "any stadium seat" view during a game through it.
Haha the DOJ will have a field day with that final 10 seconds
5:26 "users wear a google type headset." Don't you mean goggle? Joe Devine, you surprise me.
Ted Lazzlo and and Vision Pro, the two ingredients that'll bring us closer to football monopoly. I wish didn't hear that but here we are.
For all the good that came from MLS moving to Apple, the one things that I will never forgive them for is ending local broadcasts. Gone are the days of you having your town's local channel air the game with your club's regular commentators who knew the club, players and rumors. Now? Your club is locked behind a paywall and unless you support a larger club, the commentators don't know or care about your club and it's stories. Its all just... artificial
One subscription with access to every league would be a dream
was it meant to be a “google” type headset or goggle 😭
Sounds terrifyingly entertaining
Personally I would be a huge fan if Apple got the rights to the prem and some other big leagues. I am already paying for multiple streaming services just to watch footy in Canada...
I used to be able to watch the Timbers on a large TV for free. Now i have to sign up with Apple so i can watch them on my phone 😀👍
Clickbait title, don't be that channel Tifo.
5:57 he said it
was this video an ad for apple?
Id be ok if they bought it if that meant that there was one place to watch all the games rather than 3 or 4 subscriptions.
Excellent video
Is this a sponsored video or what !? 😂🤣😆
This sounds like a Athletic interest video
Apple catching strays at the end whilst they're in the middle of a lawsuit 😂
I’m sure Apple will add live VR view to their Vision Pro one day
Can't tell if the Apple plugs are sarcasm (especially the bit at the end there) or actually a sponsored video.