AP Images, the photo licensing branch of the Associated Press (AP), has won a multi-year contract to secure commercial licensing rights to images of National Football League games. Getty Images had possessed the rights since 2004.
This is the second sports deal finalized by AP Images this year, a contract with the NCAA was inked in February for commercial distribution rights of championship photos. AP also owns editorial licensing rights for all sports images.
Although Getty lost the rights to the NFL's images, the stock photo company still retains contracts with the NBA, Major League Baseball, the PGA tour, the LPGA and the Olympics.
No comment was made on what revenue is expected to be generated from the licensing agreement; however, the AP and the NFL said in February that their deal is a, content partnership" which suggests that the contract is not a highly lucrative one.