• Loading stock data...
Friday, January 16, 2026

Twitter Doesn’t Want Sports Rights

*This piece first appeared in the Front Office Sports Newsletter. Subscribe today and get the news before anyone else.

You can count out at least one social media company from the TV sports rights game. 

According to Max Mason of The Australian Financial Review, the company is not interested in battling for major sports rights, but wants to partner with rights holders, such as TV broadcasters, to extend their audiences and bring in more money.

Friend, not foe…

While Twitter does have deals to broadcast games on its platform with leagues like the WNBA, NWHL and more, the goal for the platform is not to be a linear TV broadcaster.

“The way that we’re approaching our business and our partnerships in the space is not to compete with rights holders. I don’t want to be a linear television broadcaster.” – Kay Madati, Twitter’s vice-president and global head of content partnerships

[mc4wp_form id=”8260″] 

Bigger together…

Instead of competing with one another, Madati and Twitter want to serve as a way for traditional linear broadcasters to be able to amplify their content and drive new revenue.

“We’re here to make those events bigger by marrying the conversation that happens on our platform around those things. We’re here to actually come to them and say ‘we can make your event, your investment in this property that much bigger and that much better’.” – Kay Madati

More video is good for Twitter…

According to Mason, video has become the dominant source of revenue for Twitter, comprising 50% of money coming in.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Kirk Herbstreit Enters Contract Year With ESPN, Amazon

Herbstreit’s ESPN and Amazon contracts are up after the 2026-27 football season.
May 30, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of a Washington Nationals hat and glove on the bench against the Atlanta Braves in the ninth inning at Truist Park.

Nats Are Latest Team to Join MLB Media Umbrella

The MLB club is departing the Orioles-controlled MASN after 21 years.
Sep 26, 2025; Bethpage, New York, USA; Team USA golfer Bryson DeChambeau plays his shot from the first tee on the first day of competition for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
exclusive

Kalshi Tees Up First Athlete Deal With Bryson DeChambeau

The prediction-market platform previously made a deal with the NHL’s Blackhawks.

EuroLeague Defends Its Turf As NBA Pitches League to Investors

EuroLeague threatened legal action if the NBA tries to poach contracted teams.

Featured Today

Tulsa Portal House

Inside the Tulsa Portal House: ‘This Will Translate to Wins’

The Golden Hurricane set up an over-the-top battle station for football recruiting.
Black Rabbit
January 10, 2026

The Netflix Star Who Makes Sure NBA Players Have Clean Towels

How a Nets staffer landed a breakout role on “Black Rabbit.”
January 9, 2026

NHL Ditched Its Dress Code. Hockey’s Fashion Era Arrived Quickly

With no dress code, impeccably dressed players are seeing big-money deals.
January 6, 2026

Hockey in Florida Was Once a Risk. Now It’s Thriving

The state of Florida has become a traditional—and highly lucrative—market.
Jun 7, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, UNITED STATES; Kayla Harrison (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Julianna Pena (not pictured) in a bantamweight title bout during UFC 316 at Prudential Center.

UFC on Paramount+ Off to Rocky Start as Prices Rise and Title..

A big UFC title fight between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes has been postponed. 
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson (19) makes a catch against Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) during the first half of an AFC Wild Card Round game at Acrisure Stadium.
January 14, 2026

Texans-Steelers Blowout Drew 29.1M Viewers for ESPN

Viewership rose sharply from the comparable game a year ago.
May 8, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; General view of a Fan Duel microphone jacket during the fifth inning between the Detroit Tigers against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
January 15, 2026

MLB Teams Seek Stability As Main Street Sports Looks to Rework Deals

The clubs are seeking more certainty on the company’s future.
Sponsored

ESPN Edge Innovation Conference 2025: Inside the Technology Shaping the Future of..

At ESPN Edge Innovation Conference 2025, ESPN showcased how AI, immersive tech, and a rebuilt direct-to-consumer platform are redefining the future of sports media.
Rich Paul
January 14, 2026

Rich Paul Pitches NBA Trades on Podcast: ‘Insane and Fucked Up’

Paul proposed trading Austin Reaves on his podcast. 
Netflix
January 14, 2026

Netflix Plans to Sweeten Bid for WBD With All-Cash Offer

The expected shift could help hasten a closing to the large-scale deal.
January 14, 2026

CFP Semifinal Ratings Slide As Blueblood Programs Exit Early

The lack of college football bluebloods left in the field takes its toll.
Paul Bissonette
exclusive
January 14, 2026

Fan-Favorite NHL Analyst Paul Bissonnette Gets TNT Extension

The ex-NHL enforcer has become a hot TNT broadcaster and Barstool podcaster.