Thursday, May 7, 2026

Buzzer, the Gen Z Sports App Backed by $44 Million, Shutters

  • Buzzer, a mobile streaming startup that worked with the NBA and NHL, will shut down all operations.
  • The startup raised funding from Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Kevin Durant, Patrick Mahomes, and others.
Buzzer's investors included Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, and Patrick Mahomes.
Courtesy of Buzzer.

Buzzer, the streaming startup backed by Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, and other stars, announced Friday that it would shut down.

The company raised $44 million in total investment for its app to target Gen Z sports fans. Investors included Jordan, Durant, Wayne Gretzky, Patrick Mahomes, LaMelo Ball, Naomi Osaka, Nick Kyrgios, and owners of the Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, Washington Nationals, Minnesota Vikings, and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Buzzer was founded in 2020 and launched its mobile app in 2021 for fans to stream parts of live sporting events on their phones in exchange for making micro-payments as low as $1. The startup signed rights deals to stream the NBA, WNBA, NHL, PGA Tour, and the ATP Tour.

On May 19, Buzzer shut down its consumer app and announced it was becoming a technology provider for businesses to license its streaming product. The shift from B2C to B2B didn’t work. 

“As of today and with a heavy heart, we are formally winding down our operations,” Buzzer said. “Recent fundraising developments and market dynamics have informed this outcome, despite our very best efforts to continue building Buzzer.”

Buzzer’s founder and CEO Bo Han was previously the director of live content on Twitter, where he worked since 2012 and helped lead the company’s global sports content partnerships.

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

CBS Sports THE NFL TODAY+ on September 14, 2025. Pictured (L-R): Antonio Pierce, Kyle Long, Amanda Guerra, Bill Cowher, and Nate Burleson. CBS Sports THE NFL TODAY+ on September 14, 2025. Pictured (L-R): Antonio Pierce, Kyle Long, Amanda Guerra, Bill Cowher, and Nate Burleson. Photo:

Paramount Plans to Merge Streaming Service with HBO Max

The combined service will start with about 200 million subscribers.
Nov 20, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; General view of video cameras for Thursday Night Football before the game between the Houston Texans and the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium.

Why NFL Coaches Are Calling Amazon About Its Game Data

The streamer is pushing the envelope on analytics.
Feb 01, 2026; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the trophy presentation after the final of the men’s singles at the Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park.

Alcaraz–Djokovic Is Most-Watched Australian Open Final Since 2017

The 2017 men’s singles final drew 1.1 million viewers.
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Jan 25, 2026; Taipei, TAIWAN; Alex Honnold free solo climbs Taipei 101.

Netflix Continues Live TV Push As Skyscraper Climb Draws 6.2M

The stream of the free climb expanded the company’s live events presence.

Featured Today

Tottenham Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur Is Facing a Billion-Dollar Disaster

A seemingly improbable drop to England’s second tier is a tangible possibility.
Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Final - Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Punjab Kings - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India - June 4, 2025 Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Rajat Patidar lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Indian Premier League
May 5, 2026

How Private Equity Fell in Love With Indian Cricket

India’s U.S.-style cricket league has become a private-equity playground.
Kaitlin Oaks (left) from Tampa looks at photos with Layla Abutha from Tampa while attending Thurby at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
May 1, 2026

Kentucky Derby Is Courting Gen Z

Churchill Downs is mixing traditional splendor with a youthful atmosphere.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 25: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever sits on the baseline and makes photographs during the Indiana Pacers game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
April 22, 2026

Why Athletes Are Moonlighting As Sports Photographers

Athletes are swapping courtside seats for sideline cameras.

Kara Lawson Took Amazon Job to Scout WNBA Players for Team USA

Lawson will be a WNBA game analyst for Amazon Prime Video.
Jul 20, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Former NFL football player Shannon Sharpe in attendance of the WNBA All Star Game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2026

Could Skip Bayless ESPN Return Mean Shannon Sharpe Is Next?

A source says Sharpe’s return isn’t currently under consideration.
May 6, 2026

ESPN Revenue Rises, but Disney’s Sports Profits Slip

Disney detailed the impact of heightened sports rights fees on the company.
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.
May 2, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) drives past Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the first quarter of game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden.
May 6, 2026

First Round of NBA Playoffs Reaches 33-Year Viewership High

Game 7 of the 76ers-Celtics series averaged 11 million viewers.
exclusive
May 6, 2026

Grant Horvat Among YouTube Golf Stars Joining Wasserman’s The Team

Golf creators Grant Horvat and the Bryan Brothers land major sports representation deals.
May 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman J.J. Moser (90) and Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach (77) chase the puck during the third period in game seven of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
May 5, 2026

NHL First-Round Playoff Ratings Up Nearly 70%

ESPN and TNT Sports each averaged 1.2 million viewers per game.
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) catches a pass against New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) in the first half in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
May 5, 2026

Nielsen’s New Ratings Formula Could Boost Viewership Numbers

The pilot program shows a sizable lift in viewing audiences.