Apple reportedly in final talks for MLB Sunday Night Baseball rights
Apple is reportedly close to securing the broadcasting rights for Sunday Night Baseball and potentially the MLB Wild Card games, marking a significant move in its growing sports streaming strategy. With ESPN stepping away from its long-standing deal, Apple and NBC are now considered the leading contenders to acquire these high-profile Major League Baseball rights. If finalized, the agreement could see Apple TV+ expand its baseball coverage beyond the current Friday Night Baseball package, giving subscribers more live games and strengthening Apple’s position in the sports streaming market.
Apple’s potential Sunday Night Baseball deal
The rights to Sunday Night Baseball have been one of the most coveted packages in sports broadcasting. For years, ESPN held these rights under a multi-year contract that was set to run through 2028. However, both ESPN and MLB opted out earlier this year, ending the deal after the 2025 season. This decision opened the door for new bidders, and Apple quickly emerged as a frontrunner. Reports suggest that Apple is aiming to secure the final three seasons of the current deal, which would allow it to showcase prime-time MLB games on Sunday nights starting in 2026. NBC is also competing for the package, while ESPN may shift its focus to negotiating weekday game rights.
If Apple wins the bid, this would represent a natural extension of its existing MLB coverage. Currently, Friday Night Baseball streams exclusively on Apple TV+, providing subscribers with a curated selection of weekly games. Adding Sunday Night Baseball would give the tech giant a stronger foothold in live sports broadcasting, and potentially draw in more subscribers looking for premium baseball coverage.
Wild Card and postseason opportunities
In addition to Sunday Night Baseball, Apple is reportedly in the mix for the MLB Wild Card Series broadcasting rights. These postseason games have historically been under ESPN’s control, covering both the American League and National League matchups. With ESPN stepping back, MLB could decide to package these rights with Sunday Night Baseball or sell them separately. If Apple secures both, it would have a much larger role in MLB’s postseason coverage, offering subscribers not just regular-season excitement but also high-stakes playoff action.
However, the league is also considering splitting the packages to maximize revenue and exposure. That means Apple could end up with Sunday night regular-season games without postseason coverage—or vice versa—depending on how negotiations unfold. Meanwhile, Netflix is reportedly a frontrunner for the MLB Home Run Derby, suggesting that multiple streaming services could end up sharing major baseball properties in the near future.
Apple’s broader sports streaming strategy
Apple’s pursuit of MLB rights fits into a larger push into sports content, a trend that’s been accelerating over the past few years. The company has already made waves with its MLS Season Pass package, offering soccer fans an all-in-one subscription through the Apple TV app. If Apple can replicate that model with MLB, it could become a central destination for baseball fans, though the scale and cost of MLB rights are far greater than MLS.
Looking ahead, all regional and national MLB media rights will expire after the 2028 season. At that point, the league is expected to offer a comprehensive, unified media package, potentially opening the door for one company to control all MLB broadcasting rights. Apple is likely to be very interested in such a deal, but the competition would be intense, given the size and value of the MLB audience.
Apple’s ambitions aren’t limited to baseball. Reports suggest the company is also close to securing Formula 1 racing rights, expanding its presence in global motorsport. In the past, Apple has made unsuccessful bids for high-profile packages like the NFL’s Sunday Ticket and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. However, its willingness to keep bidding signals a clear long-term commitment to becoming a major player in live sports streaming.
What this means for fans and the streaming market
If Apple wins the rights to Sunday Night Baseball and possibly the Wild Card Series, baseball fans could see a shift in how they access and enjoy games. Apple TV+ subscribers would get more premium matchups without needing a traditional cable subscription, while MLB could benefit from Apple’s technology, production quality, and global reach. The move would also intensify competition among streaming platforms, as more services fight for exclusive sports content to attract and retain subscribers.
This trend reflects a larger shift in sports broadcasting. Traditional networks are losing exclusivity, and streaming platforms are stepping up to deliver live sports directly to consumers. For Apple, acquiring MLB rights would not only diversify its content lineup but also strengthen its brand as a premium sports destination. For viewers, it could mean better viewing experiences, flexible streaming options, and potentially bundled sports subscriptions that cover multiple leagues.
In the coming months, negotiations between MLB, Apple, and other contenders will determine the future of Sunday Night Baseball. Whether Apple ends up with the full package or shares rights with another broadcaster, its push into live sports is clearly accelerating—and baseball might just be the next big win in its playbook.
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