Apple VR headset is probably to blame for Google picking off NFL Sunday Ticket deal at the 11th hour - 9to5Mac

Disappointed that Tim Cook didn’t backmost the wealth motortruck up to the NFL for Sunday Ticket streaming rights? You tin astir apt blasted the rumored mixed world Apple headset for the talks falling apart.

Apple and the NFL person been successful talks for the amended portion of a twelvemonth to onslaught a woody for NFL Sunday Ticket streaming rights. DirecTV has exclusively held the rights up to the existent shot season, but that volition alteration astatine kickoff adjacent season.

At 1 point, Apple was considered to not lone beryllium the apical contender for the NFL package, but to person really reached an agreement. Fast-forward respective months later, Apple and the NFL reportedly ended negotiations without reaching a deal.

Apple’s nonaccomplishment appears to beryllium Google’s summation if the latest reports cookware retired to beryllium accurate. Google is expected to administer NFL Sunday Ticket arsenic an add-on work to its YouTube TV streaming service.

So wherefore did Apple walk truthful agelong reportedly successful talks with the NFL lone to locomotion distant astatine the 11th hour? The Athletic’s Daniel Kaplan may person immoderate insight into the reasoning, and streaming shot successful virtual world whitethorn beryllium to blame:

Apple and the NFL besides could not hold connected whether the institution would get the close to administer Sunday Ticket connected arsenic yet non-existent platforms. Apple is heavy investing in virtual world and augmented reality, nascent platforms successful which sports are truthful acold mostly not viewed. As a result, Apple wanted what is dubbed known and chartless rights, individuals acquainted with the NFL and Apple said. In different words, determination is nary known virtual world marketplace for Sunday Ticket, but determination mightiness beryllium 1 day.

Kaplan adds that the NFL “may presumption the AR and VR aboriginal platforms arsenic caller media categories worthy of abstracted deals.” Kaplan besides says that it’s unclear if VR volition beryllium an contented for Google and the NFL, portion suggesting that those aspects are off-limits this spell astir based connected Apple’s discussions.

At immoderate rate, Apple volition person its manus successful this season’s Super Bowl connected February 12. Apple Music is replacing Pepsi arsenic the sponsor of the Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show, which volition beryllium headlined by Rihanna.

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