Saturday December 9, 2023

Amazon Wants Playoff Games As Part Of Potential NBA Deal

  • The NBA is set to explore its options for new media rights partners.
  • Amazon is interested in acquiring a package of games to exclusively stream.
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

Amazon is gearing up for what could be its biggest sports media week of the year with Prime Video’s exclusive, free stream of the first-ever NFL Black Friday game — but another league is on its radar, too.

As almost every major media company explores potential bids for the NBA’s next set of media rights deals, Amazon isn’t being shy about its interest and exactly what it wants: postseason games. “Would something like the playoffs be an important part of [our bid]? Yes, I think that’s fair to say,” Amazon Global Head of Sports Jay Marine told Sports Business Journal.

Sources previously told Front Office Sports that Amazon was eying a specific package of NBA regular-season games on either Tuesday or Thursday nights. The idea was to mimic the success it has had with “Thursday Night Football” — which has seen big viewership increases in its second season.

But adding playoff games would be a new evolution for Amazon’s sports efforts. While the NFL plans to stream a wild-card game exclusively on Peacock in January, Amazon doesn’t have any postseason rights. It is, however, among the companies interested in acquiring some College Football Playoff rights.

Not So Fast

Another streamer being discussed as a potential NBA rights bidder may not be as interested as previously thought.

Last week, a report linked Netflix as a suitor for the rights to the NBA In-Season Tournament, which will likely be sold as its own package. But now, Bloomberg reports that while Netflix remains intrigued with filming an NBA-related docuseries, the company says it isn’t interested in live game rights.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The MLS Cup Pits Hollywood Cash Against Midwest Savvy

LAFC visits the Columbus Crew in the MLS Cup final.

If Low-Budget Pacers Beat LeBron’s Lakers for NBA Cup, Does It Matter?

Pacers attempting to make history with league’s smallest payroll.

Goodell Makes ‘MNF’ Visit To Help Jaguars in $2B Stadium Talks

The Jaguars are exploring a $2 billion stadium deal.
The Chicago Bears logo is seen prior to a game against the New York Jets at Soldier Field.

Yet Another Proposal for A New Bears Stadium: The Parking Lot

Popular tailgating site becomes latest stadium site possibility for NFL team.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Golf World in Chaos After Jon Rahm Joins LIV

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The College Football Playoff is considering rotating TV networks for the national championship game.

CFP Considers Super Bowl-Like Rotation For National Championship Game

Multiple networks could share rights to the championship game, sources told FOS.
Brett Favre
November 27, 2023

Favre Welfare Case Hold-Up? “AG’s Office Has Not Expressed Interest In Pursuing”

The DOJ interviewed Brett Favre in early 2020.
The future of the Pac-12 rests on a court decision.
November 24, 2023

The Pac-12 Plays Its Final Regular-Season Game. Then A Court Decides Its Fate.

The conference’s future rests with a court decision.
Lane Kiffin
November 9, 2023

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin’s interaction with the player behind lawsuit.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
FanDuel
Multiple Locations
Adidas
Multiple Locations
Creative Artists Agency
Multiple Locations
Bill Belichick

The Hoodie in the Booth? Bill Belichick’s TV Analyst Prospects Grow

If the Patriots coach is interested in TV, several TV networks told Front Office Sports they’d love to talk to him.
Sports Illustrated
exclusive
December 6, 2023

‘The Amount of Useless Stuff You Guys Do Is Staggering.’ Inside a Shakeup at Sports Illustrated’s Publisher

The new owner of the company that operates SI made a jarring first impression Wednesday, warning his employees: ‘No one is important.’
Deadspin
December 8, 2023

Deadspin Alters Controversial ‘Black Face’ Story Amid Legal Threat

After over a week of outrage, Deadspin changed a story many perceived as an attack on a young Kansas City Chiefs fan.
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
December 6, 2023

NBA Viewers Like the In-Season Tourney. What About Broadcasters?

The NBA In-Season Tournament could attract new media partners.
Eagles Niners
December 6, 2023

Eagles-49ers Achieves Fox’s Highest Sunday Viewership of Season

Fox’s broadcast of 49ers vs. Eagles pulls in 27.7M viewers.
ESPN Stephen A. Smith
December 5, 2023

Stephen A. Smith to ESPN: ‘I Want To Be Highest-Paid Talent’

With a No. 1 show, Stephen A. Smith wants to become number one in compensation.
December 5, 2023

Seminoles’ CFP Snub Opens New Front in Disney vs. Florida War

Florida lawmakers are already considering legislation to protest the College Football Playoff’s exclusion of Florida State.