Analyst predicts that Apple will buy ESPN within 6-9 months

Analyst Dan Ives thinks the sports channel ESPN is the “perfect fit” for Apple TV+, and predicts Apple will acquire the station in the next six to nine months, he said  on CNBC’s “Last Call” show.

ESPN is currently owned by The Walt Disney Company. However, there have been rumors that Disney may sell some of its TV assets as it struggles with cord cutting. This included selling part of ESPN to a partner. Disney is also purportedly in talks with the NFL, NBA, and MLB to have them take joint ownership of ESPN along with Disney.

Such content could be a boost for Apple’s streaming service. Apple TV+ has about 50 million subscribers today, Ives estimates. The tech company has never divulged numbers for the nearly 4-year-old service.

“The massive appetite for live sports content remains the laser focus for Cupertino now to boost its streaming future and further tap into its massive installed base of 2 billion iOS devices worldwide,” Ives wrote. “We believe the answer and the shoe that fits for Apple is the golden ESPN assets which potentially may be on the table in one form or another as [Disney CEO Bob] Iger and the Board strategically and carefully look at Disney’s core assets over the coming months.”