• Loading stock data...
Saturday, February 15, 2025

Amazon Wants All The Live Sports

  • Amazon has quickly bought up broadcast rights to major soccer leagues across Europe.
  • The company is flush with cash while local broadcasters are struggling due to the pandemic.
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

Amazon has a foot in the door with America’s most popular sport, but it’s advanced even further with Europe’s. 

The company has over 200 million Prime subscribers and is using sports streaming as a way to ensure they stick around long past the pandemic.

Amazon is buying up European soccer rights — taking advantage of pandemic-related conditions that weakened local broadcasters’ balance sheets while ballooning its revenue to $108.5 billion in Q1 2021 alone.

  • The Premier League agreed to roll over its $7 billion in broadcast deals to 2025, which includes a 20-game package with Amazon. The company’s 2019 broadcast of league matches coincided with a record number of new Amazon Prime subscriptions in the U.K.
  • Amazon signed a three-year deal to broadcast Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 games for $893.6 million.
  • In December, the company inked a deal to show Champions League games in Italy from 2021-2024 for a reported $96-108 million per year.
  • Spain’s La Liga modeled its broadcasting rights packages after the deal Amazon signed with the Premier League, perhaps in the hopes of luring Bezos & Co. into a deal. 

Everyone who has Amazon Prime — even if primarily for faster shipping — can watch the matches. The online retail giant airs New York Yankees games and French Open matches, too.

Amazon recently secured its first exclusive NFL deal — a 2022-2033 agreement to broadcast “Thursday Night Football” at $1 billion a season — and may pursue a deal to bring in Peyton Manning as an analyst.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Notre Dame Latest CFB Team to Hire GM From NFL

Notre Dame has hired a Lions front office executive.
Dec 22, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) runs with the football before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium.

After Months of Trash-Talking, Noah Lyles and Tyreek Hill Agree to Race

The Olympic sprinter and NFL wideout will race after months of talks.

What Has to Happen Next for Flag Football to Become an NCAA..

Flag football is one step closer to being a full-fledged college sport.
hanson_smiling
exclusive

Scott Hanson in Talks With NBC As NFL Network Negotiations Stall

The NFL RedZone host hosted NBC’s Olympics ‘Gold Zone’ coverage last summer.

Featured Today

Feb 18, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Eastern Conference guard Damian Lillard (0) of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after a play during the second half of the 73rd NBA All Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The NBA’s Latest Attempt To Solve the All-Star Game Conundrum

A new mini-tournament on a lame-duck network may not solve the problem.
Jan 9, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) checks Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the third period at PPG Paints Arena
February 11, 2025

‘Important’ 4 Nations Face-Off Can Be NHL’s All-Star Antidote

“The stars have been lobbying the league for an event like this.”
Brady and Mahomes
February 8, 2025

Chiefs Fatigue Is Real. It’s Nowhere Near Patriots Hate Yet

People who have covered both teams say the difference is stark.
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.
February 7, 2025

How the Eagles Reinvented Championship Roster Construction

Philadelphia is one of the most innovative franchises in the NFL.
Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates with his teammates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre

NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Viewership Outstrips ESPN All-Star Games

In Montréal and on their TVs, hockey fans are buying in.
February 13, 2025

YouTube TV, Paramount Reach Temporary Extension to Avoid Blackout

YouTube TV subscribers can breathe a sigh of relief—for now.
Formula-1-cars-USA-Grand-Prix
February 14, 2025

ESPN Reportedly Losing F1 Rights; NBC and Netflix in Talks

The network has broadcast the sport in the U.S. since 2018.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
February 13, 2025

Dallas Teams Ditch RSNs for New Models. Will Others Follow?

The Metroplex is a crucible of a broader wave of industry change.
Kanye West
February 13, 2025

Fox Breaks Silence on Kanye Super Bowl Swastika Ad

The ads ran in at least four markets, three operated by Fox.
February 13, 2025

YouTube TV Faces CBS Blackout As March Madness, Masters Loom

The carriage dispute threatens viewer access to several major sports events.
February 13, 2025

Vice TV Signs BYB Bare Knuckle Boxing Amid Surprising Sports Pivot

Vice Media Group filed for bankruptcy in 2023.