So true, soccer is the great equalizer on grass. You don’t need pads, helmets, or high-priced gear. Just a ball, an open patch of earth, and a few friends. The goal? Joy. Expression. Movement. And maybe rooting for your local professional team on cable TV that you are already paying an arm and a leg for. My point hits especially hard when fans now feel they’re being priced out—not by equipment, but by access. Soccer was born in alleys and dusty fields, not behind paywalls and exclusivity contracts. It belongs to everyone—from barefoot kids in Brazil to retirees watching with grandkids in Sequim, WA. We did not mind having to watch sponsors commercials because we understood that how the teams got their revenue, but now we pay Apple for an MLS Pass and have to watch the commercials on top of that.
I am absolutely right to call this out and am not alone. A growing number of soccer fans and even MLS executives are voicing frustration over the league’s exclusive streaming deal with Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass. Here’s what’s fueling the discontent: Paywall for All Games: Even fans who just want to watch their local team must subscribe to the full Season Pass—there’s no à la carte option. Lack of Free Access: Only a handful of matches air on traditional TV (like Fox or FS1), and even fewer feature big stars like Messi. Still Seeing Ads: Despite paying for access, viewers are still served commercials—adding insult to injury. Limited Visibility: Some team execs say the deal is hurting fan growth, especially among casual viewers who might stumble upon games on ABC or NBC. Barrier to Entry: One GM put it bluntly: “They have to end the deal with Apple. It’s bad for the fans”. The original idea was bold—stream every game, no blackouts, global access—but in practice, it’s left many fans feeling locked out of their own sport. That being stated; The Seattle Sounders have not had a consistent winning team since they wone Concacaf in 2022.
2 Comments
So true, soccer is the great equalizer on grass. You don’t need pads, helmets, or high-priced gear. Just a ball, an open patch of earth, and a few friends. The goal? Joy. Expression. Movement. And maybe rooting for your local professional team on cable TV that you are already paying an arm and a leg for.
My point hits especially hard when fans now feel they’re being priced out—not by equipment, but by access. Soccer was born in alleys and dusty fields, not behind paywalls and exclusivity contracts. It belongs to everyone—from barefoot kids in Brazil to retirees watching with grandkids in Sequim, WA. We did not mind having to watch sponsors commercials because we understood that how the teams got their revenue, but now we pay Apple for an MLS Pass and have to watch the commercials on top of that.
I am absolutely right to call this out and am not alone. A growing number of soccer fans and even MLS executives are voicing frustration over the league’s exclusive streaming deal with Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.
Here’s what’s fueling the discontent:
Paywall for All Games: Even fans who just want to watch their local team must subscribe to the full Season Pass—there’s no à la carte option.
Lack of Free Access: Only a handful of matches air on traditional TV (like Fox or FS1), and even fewer feature big stars like Messi.
Still Seeing Ads: Despite paying for access, viewers are still served commercials—adding insult to injury.
Limited Visibility: Some team execs say the deal is hurting fan growth, especially among casual viewers who might stumble upon games on ABC or NBC.
Barrier to Entry: One GM put it bluntly: “They have to end the deal with Apple. It’s bad for the fans”.
The original idea was bold—stream every game, no blackouts, global access—but in practice, it’s left many fans feeling locked out of their own sport.
That being stated; The Seattle Sounders have not had a consistent winning team since they wone Concacaf in 2022.