Forecast: Apple To Bid For ESPN In 2024

The sports streaming war is heating up and Apple could make a major move by purchasing ESPN in 2024, according to Cord Cutter's News citing a prediction made by Robert Ourand of Sports Business Journal on the Marchand & Ourand podcast. During the podcast Ourand said the following:

“Think 2024, right before the NBA negotiation takes place. ESPN desperately wants to keep the NBA. You have some of these big digital companies that want to get the NBA. My call of the year, 2024, Apple wants to get involved and they’re going to buy ESPN from Disney.”

.@Ourand_SBJ predicts that in 2024, @Apple will buy @espn from @Disney.

Do you agree or disagree? 🤔

Check out the latest episode of the Marchand & Ourand sports media podcast 🎙
Apple: https://t.co/jiBFJOEbbG
Spotify: https://t.co/MMho0z03BR pic.twitter.com/K9f6U47iet

— Sports Business Journal (@sbjsbd) January 3, 2022

In recent months, there have been reports of Disney wanting to spin off ESPN, as the company shifts its focus to digital platforms — many of ESPN’s contracts are tied up long term to linear TV models. With Apple looking to expand their sports offering, buying ESPN would be a no-brainer and give the company a leg up, as more people become passionate about sports they didn’t have access to before streaming. 

“They (Apple) have the pocketbook, to be able to buy the biggest sports media company there is, and that will be Apple’s entry into sports. It will jet fuel Apple TV+, Apple will then be the biggest sports media company, including Amazon, in the country,” Ourand said on the podcast.

With ESPN having its own in-house production and an abundance of contracts with different leagues, this would make Apple the go-to place for sports. Add in Apple’s ecosystem of devices and the technology company already has the infrastructure to get sports directly in the hands of people. 

Currently, Apple’s foray into sports includes a multi-year first-look deal with Meadowlark Media, which will include “premium documentaries and unscripted series” from the world of sports. A four-part docuseries about Magic Johnson will be available to stream on Apple TV+ soon.