Thursday, May 14, 2026

Amazon, NFL Want to Own ‘Black Friday’ Too

  • Tech giant to offer free access to league’s first ‘Black Friday’ game.
  • Amazon normally charges for Prime membership.
Thursday Night Football will add Black Friday game.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Amazon Prime Video and the NFL are taking the next steps to try to own the “Black Friday” holiday.

Amazon announced Tuesday it would offer free access to all viewers for its exclusive stream of the league’s first-ever “Black Friday” game on Nov. 24, 2023 (3 p.m. ET).

Typically, customers have to pay for Amazon Prime Video to stream “Thursday Night Football.” The service costs $14.99 a month or $139 a year.

But Amazon decided it was worth the loss in potential sign-up revenue to try to establish its new “Black Friday” game as an ongoing NFL tradition.

“We’re excited to expand our relationship with the NFL and build a new holiday tradition for our customers with the first Black Friday NFL game,” said Jay Marine, vice president of Prime Video and global head of Sports, in a statement. “We’re so very proud of our Thursday Night Football production and all the teams in front of and behind the camera. As families look to spend time together over the holiday weekend, we are excited to provide an opportunity for everyone to enjoy this new day of NFL action.”

Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders perform at half-time of NFL game

The NFL and Amazon’s Black Friday Experiment

How the league and an ecommerce giant can control the day after…
November 26, 2022

Amazon’s pregame show will be live and on-site at the stadium as part of its coverage.

Charissa Thompson will host, along with analysts Tony Gonzalez, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Richard Sherman, Andrew Whitworth, Taylor Rooks, and Michael Smith. 

The TNF crew of Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, and Kaylee Hartung will call the game. The NFL will pick the two competing teams at a later date.

It looks like a smart business play by Jeff Bezos’ Amazon. 

Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year. But Amazon’s message to holiday shoppers will be: Why get trampled by hordes at brick-and-mortar retailers like Walmart when you can shop online with us – while watching a free NFL game to boot? 

And, of course, it’s a loss-leader maneuver to get fans to sample Prime – and possibly sign up later.

Last year, Amazon became the NFL’s first all-digital partner via an $11 billion 11-year deal to stream TNF through 2033 exclusively.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Feb 5, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel talks to media members at the Santa Clara Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

NFL Staying Hands-Off Schedule Videos as Vrabel Jokes Loom

The league isn’t reviewing teams’ schedule release videos in advance.

NFL Schedule Rollout Ramps Up With Full Thanksgiving Slate, Leak Frenzy

CBS gets a top NFC North rivalry to start the Thanksgiving Day games.
Bart Swings/Falyn Fonoimoana/Avery Poppinga

OnlyFans Is Paying Pro Athletes What Their Sports Won’t

The adult-content platform is a reliable income source for niche athletes.

Featured Today

How Sports Graphic Designers Are Grappling With the Rise of AI Art

The release of ChatGPT 2.0 Images sparked a conversation among sports designers.
May 12, 2026

Collectible Cups Are Sending Sports Fans Into a Frenzy

The drink is secondary to the wild vessel it comes in.
Matt Palumb
May 8, 2026

Pro Lacrosse’s Top Ref Is As Famous As the Players

The last celebrity referee is in the Premier Lacrosse League.
May 2, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta United midfielder Saba Lobjanidze (11) reacts to his goal against the CF Montréal in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit
May 7, 2026

How Atlanta Unexpectedly Became the Epicenter of U.S. Soccer

U.S. Soccer is opening a new national HQ in Georgia.

Netflix Deepens Its NFL Ties With Expanded Five-Game Package

The streaming giant significantly increased its presence with the league.
Mar 15, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; ACC commissioner Jim Phillips hands the championship trophy to Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer after the 2025 ACC Conference Championship game against the Louisville Cardinals at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026

ACC Backs Duke-Amazon Deal Despite Big Ten Concerns

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips revealed ESPN was involved in the discussions.
Los Angeles, CA - May 8, 2026 - LAPC: Stephen A Smith and Skip Bayless on the set of First Take.
May 13, 2026

‘First Take’ Ratings Up 24% for Skip Bayless Return

The episode marked Bayless’s first ESPN appearance in a decade.
Sponsored

What Is It Like to Run the Knicks?

Dave Checketts on his time running the Knicks & Jazz, Jordan war stories, and his investment strategy across major sports leagues.
TNT Sports
May 13, 2026

WBD Leans Further Into Sports With Paramount Deal Looming

The TNT Sports parent company pushes ahead with its own programming plans.
Apex, NC - February 15, 2026: Portrait of the Super Bowl LXI 61 Football.
May 13, 2026

ESPN Wants Its First Super Bowl to Be the Most-Watched Ever

Fox’s broadcast of Super Bowl LIX holds the current record.
May 13, 2026

NFL International Slate Gives Legacy Networks Bigger Stage

Legacy broadcast networks are core to this part of the schedule.
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald on the sideline against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
May 12, 2026

Super Bowl LXI Gets the Star Treatment at Disney Upfronts

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell appears at the network’s upfront presentation.