“The Apple TV app will exclusively broadcast all MLS matches live from 2023” and until 2032, writes Apple in a press release, specifying that the offer is aimed at subscribers “around the world ".

Apple is betting on football for the long haul as the United States, Canada and Mexico host the 2026 World Cup.

No amount appears in the press release but according to the specialized site Sports Business Journal, Apple would have agreed to pay a minimum guaranteed amount of 250 million dollars per season.

According to the site, MLS remains in negotiations with channels such as ESPN and Fox to broadcast certain matches.

The American giant is defending an offer that will allow "for the first time" fans "to access the entire professional league of a major sport in one place".

Grandstand subscribers of one of the 28 MLS franchises will be offered the full offer.

Launched in 1996 with 10 franchises at the time, MLS has experienced rapid expansion and manages to attract spectators to stadiums (more than 20,000 per game on average), but the few European stars it attracts are often at the end career, like Italian international Giorgio Chiellini, who signed for Los Angeles FC on Monday.

MLS brings together less than 2 million viewers in the United States for the most important matches, far from the NBA (basketball), baseball (MLB) or American football (NFL).

Apple had already invested in live sports, announcing in March that it would air two live MLB baseball games on Friday nights during the regular season.

© 2022 AFP