Apple today launched a new sports app for the iPhone called Apple Sports, which will provide fans with real-time scores and statistics from the games of their favorite sports teams and leagues.
The app can be downloaded for free from the App Store, and will initially be available in the US, UK, and Canada. It will include information about teams from the following leagues: MLS, NBA, NCAA, NHL, Bundesliga, Premier League, La Liga, Liga MX, and Serie A.
Apple says that over time, more leagues will become available on the app, including the MLB, NFL, NCASF, NWSL, and WNBA for their upcoming seasons.
Apple Sports Launches With Real-Time Statistics Of Teams From Major Sports Leagues
Apart from providing real-time statistics, Apple Sports will also enable sports fans to watch their teams play live on Apple TV. The app will offer real competition to other sports aggregators currently available on the App Store.
“We created Apple Aports to give sports fans what they want – an app that delivers incredibly fast access to scores and stats,” said Apple’s senior vice president of services, Eddy Cue.
Within the app, fans will be able to customize scoreboards to be able to follow the teams, leagues, and even tournaments they follow. They can also switch between various sections of the app, like play-by-play information, team stats, lineup details, and live betting odds. Users can also tap to go straight to the Apple TV app to watch games live on Apple TV+ and other supported sports streaming apps.
Apple noted in its press release that the live betting feature can optionally be turned off by the user in the app’s settings. The betting odds are provided by DraftKings, but there is no revenue-sharing agreement as Apple Sports does not support live sports betting on its platform.
Apple’s Revenue From Sports Overshadows Apple TV+ And The App Store
Over the past several years, Apple has been heavily investing in the sports industry. In 2023, the tech giant signed a 10-year streaming deal with Major League Baseball (MLB). Last year, the company also began offering Major League Soccer (MLS) Season Pass through the Apple TV app, for $14.99 per month or $99 per season.
Additionally, Apple TV has a multiview feature that is ideal for watching Friday Night Baseball, MLS matches, and MLB live shows. Multiview is now available on the iPad.
In Q4 2023, Apple’s revenue from sports-related services hit a record $22.3 billion, encompassing other areas of the company’s business including Apple TV+, Apple Music, iCloud, App Store, and advertising.
Apple also has plans to expand the Apple Sports app to include paid features, but the company has not revealed any details on that front yet.
Also Read: Apple Wins Lawsuit Claiming It Had Monopoly Over Heart-Rate Apps For Apple Watch
Apple Sports Will Sync Users’ Interest To Their Apple IDs To Personalize Services
The sports interests of Apple Sports users will be associated with their Apple ID and will sync across other apps to personalize their experiences on Apple TV and Apple News. Users can also choose to turn off the syncing if they wish. Apple says the data may be used to improve its personalized advertising mechanism.
Apple Sports launches just in time for the kick-off of the 29th season of the MLS, which happens to be Argentine superstar Lionel Messi’s first full season with Inter Miami.
Apple Sports requires iPhones running iOS 17.2 or later to download and run. The app is offered in English, French, and Spanish.
