• Loading stock data...
Friday, October 17, 2025

NFL And Amazon Looking To Own ‘Black Friday’

  • League officially announces a new ‘Black Friday’ game starting in 2023.
  • Amazon off to a strong start as ‘Thursday Night Football’ streaming partner.

There’s a reason why the NFL and Amazon are the nation’s richest sports league and online retailer, respectively. They’re always looking for untapped business opportunities.

Starting next year, the NFL and Amazon will stream a newly scheduled “Black Friday” game the day after Thanksgiving. 

The move presents business opportunities for both the NFL and Amazon. 

The NFL typically schedules a tripleheader on Thanksgiving. An additional game enables the league to extend its dominance of the holiday into another day — when much of the country is off from work. 

Amazon, meanwhile, can deflect some consumers away from Black Friday shopping sprees at brick-and-mortar retailers. And if they decide to replace that trip to Walmart with a Cyber Monday splurge on Amazon’s web site, then all the better.

Details on NFL/Amazon’s Black Friday plan:

  • The first Black Friday game is scheduled to kick off Nov. 24, 2023 at 3 p.m. ET. Teams will be announced when the NFL releases its 2023 schedule. 
  • Amazon is paying the NFL $1 billion a year for rights to “Thursday Night Football” through 2033. The league declined comment on whether Amazon is paying extra for the game. But Peter King of NBC Sports previously reported Amazon bid $70 million to $100 million.
  • Amazon’s TNF announce crew of Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kaylee Hartung, and Taylor Rooks will call the Black Friday game.

“Thanksgiving is synonymous with football, and we’re excited to give our fans another day of NFL action during this holiday weekend,” said Hans Schroeder, chief operating officer of NFL Media in a statement. “Amazon is uniquely positioned to partner with us for this game as ‘Black Friday’ is one of the most important days of the year for their business.”

Marie Donoghue, Amazon’s vice president of global sports video, believes the game will start a new “tradition.” Yes, there could be opportunities to drive Black Friday viewers from the football game to their retail site. 

“That is a day when millions and millions of people visit our site. We will start with the customer first. They are coming first and foremost to watch a football game,” she said.

Brian Rolapp, the NFL’s chief media and business officer, hopes next year’s debut grows into a long-time, tentpole property. “Our intention is to have a game on Black Friday until it doesn’t work,” he said.

Amazon is off to a strong start as the NFL’s first exclusive streaming partner, averaging 10.8 million viewers over its first five TNF games this season.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Steelers’ Shared Stadium With Pitt Comes Under Fire for Bad Turf

The conditions at Acrisure Stadium have been subpar this season.

Bears Hit Another Speed Bump for New $5B Stadium in Suburbs

A new state bill would impose several conditions on the NFL team.
Micah Parsons
exclusive

NFL Scorigami Creator Blames Glitches on Twitter Platform Changes

The bot has been glitching all NFL season, and fans have noticed.

Featured Today

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Apr 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of an NBA basketball and backyard and NBA logo before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center.

NBA Tries to Solve Fragmentation Issue It Helped Create

A new “Tap to Watch” feature will direct fans to live games.
Aug 30, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Brandon Inniss (1) attempts to make a catch over Texas Longhorns defensive back Graceson Littleton (29) in the first half at Ohio Stadium.
October 16, 2025

SEC Games Help ABC Dominate College Football Ratings at Midseason

Texas–Ohio State on Fox remains the most-watched game of the season.
Mar 12, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; General view of ESPN broadcast camera during a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.
October 16, 2025

ESPN’s New NBA Segment Resists Hot Takes

LeBron James tweeted in favor of the new segment.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Oct 10, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with teammates after game four of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center.
October 14, 2025

WNBA Finals Draws 1.5M Viewers, Second-Highest Series on ESPN

The four-game series averaged 1.5 million viewers.
MLS
October 14, 2025

MLS Publishes Unchecked AI-Generated Game Recaps

Humans are not reviewing the articles for accuracy.
Sep 5, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia embraces after their match in the semifinal of the men’s singles at the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
October 13, 2025

Six Kings Slam Returns With Record $6M Prize, Netflix Deal

The Six Kings Slam is held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Mar 5, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the NBA logo and NBA app logo and basketballs in front of the base during warms up before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Suns at the American Airlines Center.
October 13, 2025

NBA Will Take Over League Pass After WBD Divorce

The league now has full operational control of those media assets.