Legacy networks like CBS, NBC, and Fox have long feared the incursion of cash-rich tech giants into sports broadcasting. The future is now, thanks to Amazon.

“They scare me,” said one TV executive who declined to be named. 

In its latest move, Amazon will stream 21 New York Yankees games on Prime Video this season throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Amazon became a part-owner of the team’s YES cable network in 2019 but never televised any games due to the pandemic in 2020.

The first streamed game will be Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays on April 18.

Coming on the heels of Amazon’s landmark deal with the NFL for “Thursday Night Football,” this deal set off alarm bells among traditional companies that control live sports rights. Tech giants like Facebook have moved slowly into sports, but Amazon went straight for the biggest brands. 

With over 142 million Prime members, Amazon’s reach into U.S. households rivals broadcasters like ABC. Figure in an annual revenue of $386 billion, and Amazon shapes up to be an intimidating new competitor for live game rights.

As Amazon moves further into sports broadcasts, the company is expected to hire its own anchors, analysts, reporters, and directors rather than outsourcing production.

He’s basketball’s GOAT and now he wants to beat the biggest names in golf. The best way to do that? Create an advantage by designing your own course.

Michael Jordan opened The Grove XXIII in Home Sound, Florida in 2019 as one of the most exclusive golf courses in the country. It cost $15 to $20 milion to build and has fewer than 100 invitation-only members.

The six-time NBA champion hired renowned designer Bobby Weed to build the course, intentionally creating obstacles for professional golfers to give Jordan the leg up. 

Jordan, a short hitter, and Weed designed the course so long drives — which most professionals hit — are more likely to wind up in the rough and short drives are primed for the fairway. The tees and pins are also set up differently each day, changing course routes.

The 58-year-old started playing golf when he was still still in college wearing Carolina blue. Now he casually competes with pros like Rickie Fowler, who he made give him 10 shots in a recent head-to-head at Jordan’s course.

“If I don’t play absolutely nice that day, I have no chance,” Fowler told Golf.com. “The nickname for it is ‘Slaughterhouse XXIII.’”

Bally’s is pressing on with its aggressive move into digital betting, announcing plans to acquire U.K. gambling platform Gamesys for $2.7 billion. The companies have reached an agreement in principle, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval. 

Bally’s has offered 1,850 pence — or $23.54 — in cash for each share, representing a nearly 13% premium from Gamesys’ closing price on March 23. The founders and executives of Gamesys, who own 30.7% of its shares, have voiced their support for the deal.

Bally’s, formerly Twin River Worldwide Holdings, merged with Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment in 2019 to go public, then bought the Bally’s casino for $25 million and the Bally’s name for $20 million. Since then: 

• Acquired sports betting platform provider Be.Works for $125 million.
• Acquired enterprise software solution platform SportCaller.
• Purchased fantasy sports gaming website Monkey Knife Fight.
• Entered an agreement with Sinclair Broadcasting to rebrand Fox regional sports channels with the Bally’s name. 
• Announced official partnerships with MLB, NBA, and NHL.

Bally’s net income in Q4 2020, reported earlier this month, reached $20.2 million — a 51.4% increase year-over-year. Gamesys shares rose more than 14% after the news.