Friday, July 3, 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.

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

Tiger Woods Returns to Public Eye to Support PGA Tour Changes

Woods was arrested in March after a rollover car crash in Florida.
Wisconsin Badgers forward Laila Edwards, left, and defender Caroline Harvey celebrate after Edwards scored against the Minnesota Gophers in the first period in a game Saturday, February 8, 2025, at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wisconsin.

Two Rookies Are Rewriting Women’s Hockey Stardom

Their platforms are a mutual boon for the PWHL and its players.
FILE PHOTO: U.S. House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) speaks at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on "Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security" on the day U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem testifies, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 4, 2026.

Lawmakers Pressure NFL Over Cost of Games at House Hearing

Lawmakers again examine the league’s impacts upon consumers.
Apr 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; ESPN analysts Richard Jefferson (left) and Tim Legler (center) and play-by-play announcer Mike Breen during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena.

ESPN’s Tim Legler: ‘I Don’t Think About Coaching Anymore’

Legler is making his NBA Finals broadcasting debut.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/3/26 – USMNT Round of 16 Ticket Frenzy, NBA Tests New Free Throw Rule, Ovechkin Returns, Country Roads Takes Over

0:00

Featured Today

ATLANTA, GA - September 05: Georgia Lottery fireworks after the game against the Seattle Mariners at Truist Park on Friday, September 5, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Inside the Spectacle and Science of MLB Fireworks

Postgame fireworks are lighting up baseball for America250.
Kansas City Chiefs
July 1, 2026

NFL Teams Push to Turn Futbol Fans Into Football Devotees

NFL teams are courting international soccer fans during their World Cup visits.
June 26, 2026

What We Saw Traveling the U.S. for the World Cup Group Stage

The knockout stage begins Sunday.
June 26, 2026

In an Era of $1,000 Tickets, $10 Watch Parties Bring Fans Together

Stadium watch parties now rival home-game experiences.
June 25, 2026

Italian Americans Have Severe World Cup FOMO

Bars and restaurants in Boston, Philly, and beyond are missing the Azzurri.
Matt Miller ESPN

ESPN’s Matt Miller’s Crash, Backlash, and Investigation: Timeline

The Missouri AG’s office confirmed it is investigating Miller.
July 1, 2026; Santa Clara, California, U.S.; Malik Tillman of the U.S. celebrates scoring their second goal. Mandatory Credit: Carlos Barria-Reuters via Imagn Images
July 3, 2026

USMNT’s World Cup Ratings Continue to Surge

Fox and Telemundo are setting soccer viewership records.
Jun 30, 2026; London, United Kingdom; Serena Williams of the United States returns a shot during her match against Maya Joint of Australia on day two at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
July 3, 2026

Serena Singles Return Draws Record Wimbledon Ratings for ESPN

Williams’s status for doubles remains in question.
Sponsored

Josh Childress: Why Now Is the Time for NBA Expansion

Josh Childress on why he invested in the Portland Thorns, the case for NBA expansion, and donating to Stanford NIL.
Exclusive
July 2, 2026

ESPN Nears Mike Garafolo Deal As It Goes All In on NFL Reporters

ESPN has a deep bench of NFL reporters and personalities.
July 2, 2026

NBC’s MLB Takeover Could Offer a Glimpse of Baseball’s Future

The network’s “Star-Spangled Sunday” further heralds its return to MLB.
July 2, 2026

World Cup Ratings Getting Massive Lift From Bars and Watch Parties

Fox and Telemundo have been greatly aided by World Cup watch parties.
July 2, 2026

PGA Tour’s Biggest Events Deliver Ratings Gains Ahead of TV Talks

The $20 million events are a model for the new Championship Series.