There is speculation growing that one of the world’s largest companies could purchase The Worldwide Leader in Sports, which would also secure them the TV rights for all of the major professional sports.
Speaking to CNBC earlier this week (h/t Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports), Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives suggested that Apple purchasing ESPN is a “no-brainer”, and that he believes the two will ultimately unite.
“Cupertino is looking to go after live sports content as the golden goose. I believe it’s a matter of when — not if — ESPN and Apple get together.”
McCarthy spoke to author and former Washington Post journalist James Andrew Miller, who also believes that Apple and ESPN could join forces.
“Apple has enough change in their couch cushions to fundamentally alter the media rights landscape,” Miller told McCarthy.
It should be noted that just in February earlier this year, Disney CEO Bob Iger stated that The Worldwide Leader in Sports during a call, via Jill Goldsmith of Deadline. But money talks in businesses like this, so Disney could very well be tempted if Apple were to submit a can’t-refuse offer.
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Earlier this year, ESPN performed a long series of employee cuts; Iger had warned earlier in the year that they were going to cut around 7,000 jobs. Suzy Kolber, Jalen Rose, Max Kellerman, Steve Young, Matt Hasselbeck and Jeff Van Gundy were among the notable talents to be let go.
