Gamer alert: EA takes tiny bite of MLS' Apple deal

Welcome to The SportBusiness Podcast, getting you informed on the biggest stories in the global sports industry.This week, Jonathan Rest and Faaez Samadi discuss Major League Soccer’s ground-breaking new deal with Electronic Arts, which will livestream four matches on its mobile gaming platform, and what that suggests about MLS’ broadcast strategy.Staying in the US, Matthew Glendinning talks about DEI sponsorships in the Trump era ahead of the 2026 Fifa World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, while Faaez sheds light on Verizon’s combined backing of ATP Tour and WTA Tour events and whether that presages progress in the proposed commercial merger.We give ESPN a helping hand with some suggestions for the name of its new ‘flagship’ streaming service and we drop some Relevent hints about the US-based company’s latest moves.You can subscribe and listen to The SportBusiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.Enter SBPODCAST30 at the checkout for monthly and annual SportBusiness.com subscriptions for a 30-per-cent discount here.Host: Catherine DaviesContributors: Jonathan Rest, Faaez Samadi, Matthew GlendinningEditor: Lumi LehmuskallioSources: 1. MLS turns to EA in latest broadcast strategy tweak 2. Can DEI sponsorships survive Trump’s America? 3. Verizon sponsorship spans ATP, WTA Tours 4. EXCLUSIVE: ATP and WTA on course for historic merger 5. ESPN to detail DTC plans, streaming aids Disney Q2  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.