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NFL to reportedly launch its own streaming service, which will feature live games

The NFL knows exactly what sports fans need: Another streaming service. The league will reportedly launch its own service in July, according to the Sports Business Journal.

The service will reportedly feature live games, and is expected to cast roughly $5 per month, per the SBJ.

Live games on mobile phones and tablets will be the content centerpiece of NFL Plus, which will sell for about $5 monthly, though a source cautioned the pricing structure may change. It will likely include other content as well; possibilities include radio, podcasts and miscellaneous team-created content.

The games featured on the app will reportedly be the same ones fans can watch locally. So, if you're in Chicago and the Bears are playing on "Sunday Night Football," you will, hypothetically, be able to watch the usual noon Fox game you would receive either on your television of through this app.

It's unclear whether the service gets built out from there. The NFL "Sunday Ticket" deal with DirecTV reportedly expires following the 2022 NFL season. The league app seems like the ideal place to carry that product, except the NFL is reportedly talking to Apple about picking up "Sunday Ticket."

MLB, NBA offer games through app

The move is in line with what other professional sports leagues offer fans. MLB offers MLB.TV to fans who want to watch every single game — local and national blackouts excluded. NBA offers League Pass and NBA TV.

The NFL has relied on other companies to carry games in the past. The new app gets the league into the streaming arena. It also opens up future options for the NFL to build out its own internal version of the "Sunday Ticket" package.

George Kittle excited by his phone.
The NFL is going to start streaming games. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)