Apple to finalize deal with FIFA to acquire streaming rights for new club tournament

In a groundbreaking development, FIFA, the governing body of global soccer, is on the brink of finalizing a deal with technology giant Apple for the exclusive worldwide television rights to a forthcoming month-long club tournament.

Sources familiar with the matter, as reported by the New York Times on Monday, suggest that the agreement between FIFA and Apple is nearing completion and could be officially announced in the coming weeks. While FIFA initially valued the deal at a staggering $4 billion, recent estimations put its worth closer to $1 billion, marking a substantial decrease from the initial projections.

This potential agreement signifies a historic departure for FIFA, as it would mark the first time the organization has granted a single worldwide contract for a tournament of this magnitude. If finalized, the deal would provide Apple's streaming business with a significant edge in the fiercely competitive landscape of sports broadcasting, where streaming services are aggressively vying for exclusive rights to marquee sporting events as a means to bolster subscriber numbers.

However, the negotiations have not been without their challenges. Senior FIFA executives have reportedly expressed reservations regarding the implications of "free-to-air rights," which could restrict access to the tournament solely to subscribers of Apple TV+. The precise details of the deal regarding this aspect remain undisclosed.

In addition to broadcasting concerns, FIFA has encountered hurdles in securing sponsorship commitments for the tournament. Sponsors have been hesitant to commit to the $150 million sought for sponsorship packages, posing further challenges for the organization.

Scheduled to take place next year from June 15 to July 13, the tournament, featuring 32 teams, has already drawn criticism from players' unions for the timing of the event. Traditionally reserved for player rest during the off-season, the scheduling decision by FIFA has raised concerns about player welfare and consultation processes within the soccer community.

As negotiations between FIFA and Apple near their conclusion, the potential ramifications of the deal extend beyond the realm of sports broadcasting. The outcome could reshape the landscape of sports media consumption, with far-reaching implications for viewers, stakeholders, and the broader soccer industry.