“Messi, Messi, Messi….” The name is reverberating among anyone and everyone using Major League Soccer (MLS) Season Pass that can be accessed through the Apple TV app. It’s the coolest thing to have at the moment.
In case you are not aware of what’s happening, let’s recap. Apple saw an investment opportunity in live sports a few years ago. As the Apple TV+ show Ted Lasso won hearts around the world, Apple slowly inked a few deals.
In March 2022, Apple’s first venture into live sport arena came in the form of an $85m annual commitment over seven years to stream Major League Baseball. It gave Apple exclusive rights to broadcast two Friday Night Baseball games in the US and also across eight other countries (in 2023, Apple expanded its MLB coverage across 60 countries or territories).
That same year, Major League Soccer’s (MLS) global and local rights were due and Apple stepped in. The entire deal is reportedly worth at least $2.5 billion.
Then two more developments took place. Saudi Premier League, funded by the Saudi Arabian sovereign-backed Public Investment Fund, wanted heavyweights of the sport. Cristiano Ronaldo joined the Saudi club Al-Nassr after the 2022 World Cup, in a deal reported to be worth $200 million per season.
Next development: This year Messi joined Inter Miami of Major League Soccer (with a contract that commits him to the team through the 2025 MLS season), marking the start of a new era for MLS. And Apple is already there. The company’s streaming arm also announced a four-part docuseries charting Messi’s path to World Cup glory in Qatar.
Messi’s arrival on the scene will help the league grow in a big way and it is already encouraging people around the globe to take up Apple TV+’s MLS Season Pass. The viewing experience is flawless and it’s all that you expect from Apple.
Fans can subscribe to MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app for Rs 1,299 per month during the season or Rs 7,900 per season, and Apple TV+ subscribers can sign up at a special price of Rs 1,199 per month or Rs 6,900 per season. Through Family Sharing, up to six family members can share the subscription using their own Apple ID and password.
