Friday, June 5, 2026

Amazon Off To Slow Start As It Eyes More Live Sports

  • Amazon recorded its slowest period of year-over-year growth as it eyes more live sports.
  • The tech giant generated $116.4 billion in revenue in Q1 2022, a 7% increase year-over-year.
Amazon

Amazon recorded its slowest period of year-over-year growth in more than a decade in the company’s latest earnings report.

The tech giant, which is poised for growth as it continues to add live sports to its Prime Video service, generated $116.4 billion in revenue in Q1 2022, a 7% increase year-over-year, behind a net loss of $3.8 billion for the quarter. 

Shares of the Seattle-based company, however, were down nearly 10% in post-market trading. 

Amazon attributed the lukewarm results to supply chain shortages and inflationary pressures, but the company’s first quarter also included costly expansion projects and deals. 

  • It launched its Luna cloud gaming service, allowing U.S. customers to access more than 100 gaming titles on devices that include PCs and Fire TVs.
  • The company closed its acquisition of MGM for $8.5 billion, adding 4,000 film titles and 17,000 TV episodes to its portfolio.

Amazon also announced a media rights deal with Universal Tennis in Q1, which will also include an investment by the tech giant to implement inclusive and innovative changes for the sport. 

Live Sports 

Last year, Amazon Prime agreed to an 11-year deal with the NFL for exclusive rights to “Thursday Night Football” for $1 billion per season. It also inked a deal to carry Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 games for $1 billion. 

Earlier this week, it secured a rights agreement with mixed martial arts promoter One Championship.

As a result of the investments, Amazon announced a price increase for the service last quarter, from $119 per year to $139.

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

Jan 17, 2026; Denver, CO, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs against Denver Broncos linebacker Karene Reid (47) during the second quarter of an AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Empower Field at Mile High.

NFL Schedule Leans Further Into Holidays, Streaming Expansion

The upcoming slate features several notable changes from 2025.

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

CBS gets a top NFC North rivalry to start the Thanksgiving Day games.
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

ACC Backs Duke-Amazon Deal Despite Big Ten Concerns

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips revealed ESPN was involved in the discussions.

Trump Rips NFL Streaming Costs: ‘Killing the Golden Goose’

U.S. President Donald Trump once again hit out against the NFL.

Featured Today

Ai sports slop

How Sports Became Ground Zero for AI Slop

The category is the perfect breeding ground for AI content churn.
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group A - Germany v Luxembourg - Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim, Germany - October 10, 2025 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann
June 4, 2026

‘Weird Corners of the World’: How to Find a World Cup Coach

National associations look for a winning record—and also hope for serendipity.
June 3, 2026

The Elite High Schools Hosting World Cup Teams

Spain, Morocco, Croatia, and Switzerland chose schools as their tournament base camps.
Frances Cabral-Delaney
May 29, 2026

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.
Jun 3, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles the ball past San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) in the first half during game one of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.

NBA Finals Game 1 Draws 16.9M Viewers

Game 2 between the Knicks and Spurs is Friday.
June 5, 2026

Stanley Cup Final Viewership for Game 1 Nearly Doubles on ABC

The Vegas win was the most-watched Stanley Cup Final opener since 2019.
Apr 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; ESPN analysts Richard Jefferson (left) and Tim Legler (center) and play-by-play announcer Mike Breen during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena.
June 5, 2026

ESPN’s Tim Legler: ‘I Don’t Think About Coaching Anymore’

Legler is making his NBA Finals broadcasting debut.
Sponsored

Landon Donovan: What Soccer in America Still Needs

Landon Donovan discusses the evolution of soccer in America and investing in the NWSL.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; The ESPN logo at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
June 4, 2026

ESPN Braces for More Layoffs

The cuts are expected to affect both talents and non-camera-facing employees.
exclusive
June 4, 2026

ESPN Evaluating AI Promos After Tony Parker Backlash

The network says it used AI for portraits of Parker and others.
June 4, 2026

Duke-Michigan Hoops Moving to MLB Ballpark to Skirt Rights Issue

The crux of the move is due to media-rights complications.
June 3, 2026

Spurs-Thunder Outdraws Last Year’s NBA Finals 

The 2025 NBA Finals drew 10.27 million viewers.