• Loading stock data...
Friday, February 27, 2026

Amazon Negotiating Exclusive Rights to Select NFL Games

  • Amazon is angling to have exclusive rights to some Thursday Night Football games in its next NFL broadcasting contract.
  • The NFL is roughly doubling its annual prices for broadcasting deals.
Denny Medley-USA TODAY/Design: Alex Brooks

Last season, fans had the option of watching Thursday Night Football on Amazon. Soon, for some games, it might be the only choice.

Amazon is in talks with the NFL over exclusive broadcast rights to some Thursday Night Football games, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The tech giant has broadcast TNF matches since 2017 on Amazon Prime Video but has never done so exclusively, sharing games with Fox and the NFL Network in years past.

However, Fox has lost interest in the midweek games, and no other legacy provider seems eager to take its place. Amazon, in its most aggressive move to date into live sports, may take advantage of the traditional networks’ reticence.

Should Amazon secure exclusive rights, they won’t be cheap. The NFL is poised to double the price of its broadcasting contracts in the deals it’s negotiating with CBS, NBC, Disney, and Fox.

Amazon pays between $75-100 million annually for non-exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football in a deal that runs for two more seasons.

Live sports is “the most important Jenga block holding up the entire legacy media ecosystem,” said LightShed media analyst Rich Greenfield. Amazon’s move could shake the foundation.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Nov 27, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) greet each other after the game at AT&T Stadium.

NFL Salary Cap Crosses $300M for First Time

The finalized figure is nearly twice the level of a decade ago.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; The NFLPA logo at press conference at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NFLPA Report Cards Leak Despite Ban on Public Release

ESPN first reported the results on Thursday.
Jan 11, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries the ball defended by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Garret Wallow (49) and defensive end Keion White (56) during the third quarter in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Lincoln Financial Field.

​​FanDuel Parent Pins Betting Slowdown on Lackluster NFL Season

Flutter Entertainment eyes World Cup as key growth driver.

Indiana Approves Bears Stadium Plan, Turns Up Heat on Illinois

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signs a stadium development framework.

Featured Today

[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Botafogo owner John Textor inside the stadium before the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Lumen Field.

The American Sports Owners Feuding Over a French Soccer Team

John Textor is at odds with Michele Kang and investment giant Ares.
[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Chelsea FC midfielder Cole Palmer (10) celebrates winning the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium
February 21, 2026

Soccer’s ‘Crown Jewels’ Are Devouring Smaller Clubs

Mega conglomerates are feeding a big business machine. Fans are furious.
Feb 10, 2026; Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy; Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin of the United States during the curling mixed doubles gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium
February 20, 2026

Curling Clubs Are Swept Up in Olympics Fever. Can It Last?

Every four years, organizations field an influx of curling-curious patrons.
Max Valverde by Ron Winsett
February 17, 2026

How Ski Mountaineering’s Hype Man Went From TikTok to NBC

Max Valverde’s gushing over the niche sport vaulted him to Olympic broadcaster.
Feb 6, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Pat McAfee on the Pat McAfee Show set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
opinion

Nobody Is Playing Guest Game Better Than Pat McAfee

McAfee makes clear to guests he’s on their side.
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., makes a point during her town hall Saturday at Nevins Hall in Framingham's Memorial Building, Feb. 22, 2025. Warren discussed her thoughts on the Trump administration's recent actions and how she plans to fight back against policies that she feels hurt Massachusetts families.
February 27, 2026

WBD-Paramount Deal Sets Up Partisan Regulatory Fight

The landmark media merger will be at the heart of a political battle.
CBS Sports
February 27, 2026

What a Paramount-WBD Sports Portfolio Would Look Like

The combined entity would hold rights to nearly every major U.S. pro league.
Sponsored

From USWNT Star to NWSL Franchise Founder

Leslie Osborne, former USWNT midfielder, shares how athletes are moving from the pitch to the ownership table.
The broadcast studio and pundits on the Paramount+ series, 'Inside The NFL'.
February 26, 2026

Paramount Wins Battle For WBD As Netflix Drops Out

The streaming giant bows out of the high-stakes race.
February 26, 2026

Apple’s Big Bet on F1 Is About More Than Streaming

The technology giant also strikes a unique content collaboration with Netflix.
May 19, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a TNT court broadcast camera before game seven between the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggets in the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
February 26, 2026

Loss of NBA Felt in WBD’s Latest Earnings

The loss of live rights created near-term headwinds in advertising revenue.
CBS Sports
February 25, 2026

Paramount Says WBD Deal Would Help CBS Turnaround

The CBS Sports parent company lauds its NFL and UFC programming.