Apple TV+, Apple’s streaming service, is reaping the benefits of the arrival of footballer Lionel Messi in MLS (Major League Soccer), the main sports league in the USA, broadcast by the brand. This is what Tim Cook, CEO of the company, said.
For those in a hurry:
Cook explained, in a quarterly results conference call held late last week, that the streaming service exceeded its subscriber targets after the player signed with Inter Miami CF in July.
Apple TV+, MLS and Messi
For starters, the CEO reported on the conference call that Apple TV+ had exceeded its subscriber goals in the three months ending July 1, according to the Business Insider.
For Cook, part of the surge in interest in the platform has come after Messi brought his massive public persona to American football, which is, by comparison, considerably smaller.
We are excited about our partnership with MLS and to see Messi join Inter Miami. This is still early days, but we are exceeding our subscriber expectations. And the fact that Messi has gone to Inter Miami has helped us a bit, so we are very excited.
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple
The partnership between Apple and the soccer league – agreed to last ten years – started in February, with the launch of a Season Pass that costs US$13 (roughly R$64) per month for subscribers and US$15 (R$74) per month for non-subscribers.
In June, Messi announced he would play for Inter Miami when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired. The contract was made official the following month.
The World Cup-winning player had a sensational start for his new team: he scored five goals in his first three games.
According to the information of sporty, the Florida-based team will pay Messi $150 million (R$740 million) over the next two-and-a-half years. This includes: regular salary, signing bonus and share ownership in the team.
Furthermore, Messi has reached revenue sharing agreements with Apple TV+ and Adidas, one of the major corporate sponsors of the MLS, as reported by The Athleticin June.
Messi post helps Apple TV+ meet its subscriber goals, says CEO appeared first in Olhar Digital.
Source: Olhar Digital
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