Amazon could pay the NFL $2.5 billion to stream 'Sunday Ticket' games - and is seen as the frontrunner among bidders, reports say

• Amazon is seen as the favorite to win the rights to NFL's "Sunday Ticket" package, CNBC reported.
• The NFL is expected to ask for as much as $2.5 billion per year for the package, the report said.
• Other competitors that have reportedly shown interest include Apple and Disney.

$4 is in talks to acquire the rights to the NFL's "Sunday Ticket" streaming package under a multi-year deal, $4 on Friday, citing sources.

The tech giant is said to have expressed a "serious interest" in the package that allows subscribers to stream out-of-market football games.

The NFL is expected to set an annual price tag between $2 billion and $2.5 billion, and wants to settle discussions on the deal before the season winds down in February, CNBC said, citing two sources.

Amazon isn't the only interested party. Apple has also $4, according to The Information. But it's reportedly not seen as a serious contender due to its "reluctance to invest heavily in entertainment."

Disney has also had related discussions with the NFL, ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro $4. Meanwhile, NBCUniversal's streaming service Peacock is not expected to make a bid, CNBC reported, citing a source.

Satellite pay-TV operator DirecTV, which $4 last month, has owned the package for 27 years.

For the past seven years, DirecTV paid $1.5 billion a year to stream the package. It renewed its latest partnership with the NFL in 2014, but that's set to $4. CNBC's sources said it may not have as sturdy a balance sheet as Amazon or Apple.

Amazon is seen as the favorite to win the rights. Its Prime Video service became the first all-streaming provider to agree to become the $4" in a significant step in the streaming wars. The company is paying $1 billion a year under the 11-year agreement.

Amazon didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.