Less than a week ago, Mactrast reported that Apple was among the “final contenders” for MLB’s “Sunday Night Baseball” package, and “presumably” Wild Card playoff games. Now comes a report that Apple is dropping out of the baseball business completely!
Yahoo Sports‘ Kendall Baker says that Apple has exercised an early opt-out provision in its “Friday Night Baseball” package, allowing the company to pull out of the deal before the contract’s planned expiration in 2029. Baker described the new arrangement as “close to being done.”
🚨 SCOOP: MLB rights deals are “close to being done,” per sources.
What I’m hearing:
– Apple is fully out. RIP Friday Night Baseball
– NBC/Peacock is in, for Friday and Sunday exclusive and Wild Card
– MLB TV being sold to ESPN (for a boatload of $$$)
– Netflix gets HR Derby
— Kendall Baker (@kendallbaker) August 19, 2025
Apple first announced its deal with Major League Baseball in March 2022, signing a seven-year agreement valued at approximately $85 million per year. The deal granted it exclusive global streaming rights to two Friday night games each week on Apple TV+.
Apple’s exit from baseball arrives less than three full seasons into its seven-year arrangement.
Baker says the change would see Apple dropping out of Major League Baseball coverage completely, with NBCUniversal, via its Peacock streaming service, expected to assume the Friday night slot as well as getting rights to Sunday exclusive games and the Wild Card playoffs round. Meanwhile, Disney’s ESPN is said to be in advanced negotiations to acquire the MLB.TV direct-to-consumer service, while Netflix is reportedly near securing the rights to stream the annual pre-All Star Game Home Run Derby.
Apple had originally considered Major League Baseball, as well as Major League Soccer to be two important parts of its streaming strategy. When the deal was signed, Apple’s senior vice president of Services, Eddy Cue, described the deal as an opportunity to provide fans with “the best seat in the house.”
Apple’s is apparently standing pat with its other sports deal, which is the 10-year global agreement with Major League Soccer, signed in 2023 and valued at an estimated $2.5 billion.
Apple has reportedly held discussions with other leagues and rights holders over the years, including negotiating with the NFL for NFL Sunday Ticket, which ultimately went to YouTube. The Cupertino firm has also held talks with the English Premier League and the Pac-12 conference. Recent reports have indicated Apple is in talks for Formula 1 streaming rights in the United States.
