Technology

Apple launches free sports app

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2021 file photo, people try out iPhone products at an Apple Store in Beijing. The Supreme Court on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024 allowed a court order to take effect that could loosen Apple's grip on its lucrative iPhone app store, potentially siphoning billions of dollars away from one of the world's most profitable companies. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, file)

Apple is getting into the free sports application game.

The company on Wednesday introduced Apple Sports, a free app for iPhone that gives sports fans access to real-time scores, stats, and more.

“We created Apple Sports to give sports fans what they want — an app that delivers incredibly fast access to scores and stats,” Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services said in announcing the new app.

“Apple Sports is available for free in the App Store, and makes it easy for users to stay up to date with their favorite teams and leagues.”

The new application will allow users to customize their favorite sports, teams players and more.

It currently offers content for the NBA, NHL, and NCAA basketball, and it plans to soon provide scores, stats and more from the MLB, NFL, and NCAA football.

Apple’s foray into the free sports app space will run in direct competition with some of legacy media’s most popular options provided by outlets ESPN and the leagues themselves.

Apple recently inked a deal with the MLS to stream games on AppleTV and has been broadcasting a handful of MLB games for the last several seasons, Axios noted.