Netflix Experiments with Live Sports and This Week's Top 5 Stories
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Netflix Experiments with Live Sports
Jake Paul and Mike Tyson‘s heavyweight boxing match exhibition was live-streamed on Netflix, free for its nearly 283 million subscribers worldwide.
The fight was viewed by an estimated 60 million households globally, according to data shared by Netflix.
Despite the massive viewership numbers, the viewing experience left much to be desired.
On outage monitoring website Downdetector, there were over 1 million reports logged across 50 different countries.
That said, I still think Friday night was a win for Netflix. This was simply their latest experiment in their push into live sports.
Next up, the streamer will air two live NFL games on Christmas Day.
The stakes will be much higher. Netflix could afford to have issues with Jake Paul’s fights, but they cannot afford to fumble the bag with the NFL.
And Netflix knows this — that’s why today they announced Beyoncé will be headlining the halftime show at the Christmas game in Houston.
Bottom Line - Live sports could be the game-changer that reignites Netflix's slowing subscriber growth. The technical disruptions may prompt concerns about the company’s readiness, but I think those growing pains are necessary. If things aren't breaking, then you're not moving fast enough.
Jamaica Extends Puma Deal Despite Adidas Offer
Despite the presence of an eight-year $40 million offer on the table from Adidas, the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has extended its contract with longtime sponsors Puma.
The JAAA’s deal with Puma was scheduled to expire on December 31, triggering a fresh approach from decade-long suitors Adidas, who made a similarly impressive offer to the JAAA in 2014, which was eventually rejected.
Importantly, the expiring Puma deal included a ‘Right of First Refusal’ clause, which compelled the JAAA to inform Puma of any competing offer and also means that if Puma matches said offer, the JAAA would be obligated to accept.
Bottom Line - Adidas had hoped to strike an agreement with the JAAA knowing that Jamaica is among the top countries when it comes to developing sprinters, who usually generate the most commercial buzz during the Olympics and other major athletics competitions.
Taylor Swift Boosts Business for Rogers, Toronto Blue Jays
Concerts have long been a crucial revenue stream for pro sports teams and facility operators, but Taylor Swift’s record-setting Eras Tour is taking on an even greater level of importance for Rogers Communications, which is now cornering the market on Canadian pro sports.
Rogers is the presenting sponsor of the Eras Tour in Canada and?owns Rogers Centre, the venue for the Toronto stops.
The Blue Jays also have made the opportunity to purchase Eras Tour tickets available to Rogers Centre 200-level season-ticket holders who renew for the next two seasons.
Bottom Line - Swift began on Thursday a six-concert run at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. Her 21-month tour has already grossed around $2 billion, and Rogers is now leveraging her Toronto shows to boost the Blue Jays' revenue for years to come.
Jamaica Doubles Down on its Olympians
The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) celebrated the achievements of Jamaica’s medalists from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in Kingston on Saturday night.
During the event, the JOA not only rewarded the athletes with cash for their extraordinary performances, but also announced a groundbreaking $1.9 million investment for the 2028 Olympic cycle.
The investment will target areas critical to athlete development, such as training, transportation, technology, nutritional support, and equipment.
Bottom Line - The JOA, along with Olympic Associations more broadly, is a key player in the sports business landscape (especially in emerging markets). Through innovative partnerships and strategic management, they are able help finance the careers of deserving athletes.
Don’t Sleep on the Caribbean Series
The city of Mexicali, about 120 miles east of Tijuana and Baja California’s state capital, is expecting 100,000 visitors during the upcoming Caribbean Series.
The annual baseball tournament, which kicks off in January, features teams from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Venezuela.
In preparation for the influx of fans, Baja California will invest $5.2 million to upgrade lighting in the city’s stadium and for other improvements around the facility.
While the tournament has been running for over 75 years, last year’s event in Miami was the first time the event was hosted at an MLB ballpark.
Also last year, the matchup between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic was the most attended Caribbean Series game in the history of the tournament.
Bottom Line - With the Caribbean’s rising influence on baseball globally, the Caribbean Series is an emerging sports property to keep on eye on. Before returning to Miami in 2028, the next three iterations will be played in Mexicali, Mexico in 2025, San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2026, and Hermosillo, Mexico in 2027.
Until next time ???
This article is a special extension of BACKCOURT Business – a weekly newsletter covering sports, business, and the Caribbean.
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1 周another banger
As much as I hate the fragmented NFL streaming situation, thoroughly intrigued to see how Netflix handles Christmas day.