How sports rights holders are partnering with creators to engage young audiences

Richard Masters, CEO of English soccer's elite Premier League, has said that moving broadcast production for the competition in-house will allow for a proper discussion on the potential adoption of a DTC for its games. #SportsBiz #PremierLeague https://lnkd.in/eU_Yytgc

⚽ Is Netflix’s entry into the Premier League inevitable? In just two years, Netflix has gone from experimenting with sports docs (Drive to Survive, Full Swing) to acquiring live rights that sit at the center of fan culture: WWE Monday Night Raw – a weekly anchor for global audiences. National Football League (NFL) Christmas Day Doubleheader – exclusive rights to one of the NFL’s most valuable slots. FIFA Women's World Cup™ Cup – securing two editions of the tournament, underscoring global ambitions. Boxing mega-events – from Tyson vs Jake Paul to Canelo vs Crawford. This isn’t accidental. Sports are becoming the differentiator in streaming: live, unscripted, global, and sticky. ‼️ Why theThe Premier Leaguee is Different The English Premier League isn’t just another rights package — it’s the most valuable domestic sports property in the world: - UK deal Skyy & TNT) runs until 2029, worth over $9B. - US deal NBCUniversall) runs until 2028, worth $2.7B — nearly double the last cycle. -Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studioss, once a disruptor with 20 matches, has now exited the UK market. For Netflix, the EPL is the crown jewel of sports content: global fan base, multi-territory potential, and year-round engagement. It’s also the ultimate test of whether streaming can truly rival legacy broadcasters in football. Why “Inevitable” Isn’t an Overstatement At theIMGG xRedbird Summit, Adam Kelly (President of IMG) summed it up: “They’re the biggest media company in the world… So why would they not?” The logic is simple: 📈 Sports = Subscriber growth and retention. 🌍 EPL = Global reach and cultural relevance. 💰 Multi-market packages = scale Netflix thrives on. Netflix has already proven its ability to turn sports into cultural products. The EPL could be the final frontier. 💡 The trajectory is clear: live sports are no longer an optional extra for streamers. They’re the battleground for audience attention. For Netflix, the EPL would not just be another deal — it would be the moment streaming proves it can own football’s biggest stage. The real question: when the next rights cycle arrives, will Netflix bid? And if they do, how much will the market be forced to change? 📖 Read the full article here at 365247 Media: https://lnkd.in/ei7q_iby Credit:Carlo De Marchiss A guy with a scarff) 👏 🫵 Join the 365247 Community: https://lnkd.in/eq4x8fif 🫵 For Brands, Businesses and Services, feature in our posts: https://lnkd.in/egP62YtG #SportsBusiness #SportsMedia #PremierLeague #Football #MediaRights #Streaming #FutureOfSports #SportsConsulting

⚽The way fans are engaging with sports is leading to a new business model that allows buyers and federations to maximise the value of produced content, which is now layered instead of universal. 💰Sports rights fragmentation is transforming from a challenge to an opportunity for a healthier, more dynamic, and inclusive sports media ecosystem. Our latest research shows an interesting pattern in sports rights deals in 2024. Approximately 2% of all deals have transitioned from traditional broadcasters to newer platforms like streaming services and D2C offerings, a movement that is rapidly accelerating. 📈This has led to platforms like YouTube securing more sports rights than any other single outlet in many territories, particularly within Tier 2 and Tier 3 sports. Read more in the article at SVG Europe to understand how this evolution is creating new commercial potential and leveling the playing field for smaller federations. 👇

Netflix now has exclusive rights to stream all 47 games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic in Japan. No national TV. No DAZN. No Abema. Not even NHK. If you want to see Japan defend its title, you need a Netflix account. No Terrestrial TV? That’s right. None of the games will air live on Japanese TV. Not even Yomiuri Shimbun’s and their TV Network and they stated their disappointment. But here’s the truth: They didn’t get the rights. Netflix did. There’s no mention of any co-broadcasting. Netflix holds full exclusive rights in Japan now. 🔗 Official announcement from MLB/WBCI: https://lnkd.in/gbjN6V8D They’ve done this before with WWE, the NFL, and Women’s World Cup. WBC is their move into Japan’s live sports market. Why Were Japanese Broadcasters Left Out? Two simple reasons: 1. They assumed old relationships guaranteed future rights 2. Their model hasn’t kept up with global standards In Japan, each baseball team owns its own media rights. Some prioritize tiny local stations over national platforms. When WBCI looked for a partner with global reach and infrastructure, Netflix made the deal. The Business Case Netflix reportedly paid ¥15 billion for the Japan rights to all 47 games, up from ¥3 billion last time. Given WBC viewership topped 54 million last time, they’re playing the long game and they’ll likely win. This Isn’t Just About Baseball This is about a media industry that’s stuck, while global players move faster and think bigger. - Netflix owns its platform and increasingly its content - Japanese TV networks rely on third-party licensing - Abema proved streaming works by delivering the FIFA World Cup free to 24 million people without crashing - Meanwhile, many Japanese shows still disappear after a single broadcast Streaming is not the future >> it's the present. And sports is the trojan horse. Lessons from this deal: - Legacy is not leverage. You need the rights, not just the relationships - IP ownership matters. It’s the difference between leading and waiting - Global thinking beats local complacency - Infrastructure matters. Netflix has it. Abema’s catching up. Most others aren’t close - Audiences follow access and quality, not tradition If you are a founder looking to set up a business in Japan, My name is Tyson Batino, founder of two businesses built for foreigners in Japan: SmartStart Japan: We set up business in Japan, incorporation, visa, tax and labor registrations, licenses and more all in-house. Scaling Your Company : We help you increase your revenue and presence in Japan. 1-1 advisory & consulting, digital marketing services, and introducing you to the right partners. If you're trying to set up or scale in Japan, I’ve got your back. #WBC2026 #NetflixJapan #SmartStartJapan #ContentOwnership #JapanExpansion #FoundersInJapan

The sports industry has always thrived on ticket sales, merchandise, media rights, and sponsorships for traditional, transactional revenue models. But the game is changing. Fans today don’t just want to watch their teams. They want to connect, engage, and belong. The future of revenue in sports lies in: Personalized digital experiences Direct-to-fan platforms Exclusive content Real-time engagement across social and streaming The winners in this new era won’t be those who can sell the most seats but those who can build the strongest fan relationships. Because when you build a community revenue will follow. What’s your take? Are sports brands doing enough to move from transactional to relational thinking? #SportsBusiness #FanEngagement #FutureOfSports #SportsTech #DigitalTransformation #CommunityEconomy

The National Football League (NFL) has reshaped how younger audiences experience sports. #sportsmarketing By: - Elevating flag football for women and youth, with the sport now set for #LA28 - Partnering with creators around the Draft and other major events - Expanding globally through streaming partnerships - Humanizing players to build authentic connections This is how you reach Gen Z and Gen Alpha: inclusivity, creativity, and digital-first engagement. For advertisers, aligning with this shift is one of the smartest plays available. The audiences you want are already there.

⚽️ 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗲-𝘂𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹? ⚽️ The Champions League could soon stream straight from… Netflix. UEFA is reworking how it sells broadcast rights. And this time, the goal is to lure in streaming giants. From the 2027–28 season, Netflix could grab rights to stream one Champions League match per round globally. A small step for content. A massive leap for live sport. Here’s the play: Netflix gets first pick on Tuesday matches, but can’t overload on big names like Real Madrid or Liverpool. That keeps balance and guarantees variety for global viewers. And it’s not just Netflix making moves. Amazon Prime Video already streams live CL games in several regions. Apple TV+ locked in MLS. Disney+ is pushing Women’s Champions League. Even Netflix has already tested the waters with the Women’s World Cup. UEFA’s new six-year cycle could stretch through 2033, with an aim to push media rights from $4.4B to $5B+ per round of bidding. That means bigger investment and a new frontier for innovation in how fans experience live sport. Because this isn’t just about streaming matches. It’s about redefining how the game reaches fans. Across devices, communities, and formats. If Netflix lands this, the Champions League might become the first truly global football experience powered by on-demand culture. The beautiful game is streaming into a new era. And Netflix could be the next home of Champions League magic. 💭 Would you watch live football on Netflix? What features or fan experiences would make streaming your go-to?

💡 Fan Engagement = Monetization = Revenue Growth ⚽ 🏈 🏐 🏀 For sports clubs, fans are not just spectators they are the biggest untapped business opportunity. ❣️ At Play Leap, we turn engagement into direct revenue streams: ⚡ Daily Interaction → Data & Loyalty 🏆 Challenges & Ratings → Coupons, Discounts & Sales 💳 Club-Branded Credit Cards → Ongoing Commission 📊 Sponsorship & Ads → New Revenue Channels The difference? Instead of passive “likes,” clubs gain real-time, trackable fan actions that translate into merchandise sales, ticket bundles, sponsorship value, and recurring income. When engagement is gamified and monetized, every fan touchpoint becomes a profit center. 💰 And for clubs, this means moving from “hoping fans return” to guaranteed, measurable revenue growth. 🪙 👉 The next big win for sports isn’t just on the pitch it’s in how clubs activate and monetize their fanbases. 💴 https://lnkd.in/erjWhc7J #PlayLeap #FanEngagement #SportsBusiness #RevenueGrowth #SportsTech

Five companies. One ecosystem. At Timbuka, we’ve built an integrated network that powers African sport from every angle: • RightsCo - Unlocks and manages sports rights • AdCo - Connects brands to audiences through sponsorship and advertising • MediaCo - Manages content distribution across OTT, linear, and digital • ProdCo - Powers production and broadcast • StatsCo - Transforms footage into data and insight Together, they form Africa’s Sports Media Ecosystem. #Timbuka #SportsBusiness #SportsMedia #AfricaSports #Broadcast #Sponsorship #SportsRights #Analytics

Broadcaster, multi-platform presenter and digital creator, Jolie Sharpe has signed with CAA Sports Creative Artists Agency for representation in all areas. The 24-year-old will be represented by a team of agents led by Alex McGuire, who oversees CAA’s Sports Media representation throughout the UK and Europe.  The London born presenter captured the attention of football fans worldwide when her interview for the Daily Mail Sport Instagram channel, ahead of the European Championship Final, went viral - amassing over 80 million views.  More https://lnkd.in/d45sMbY #sponsorship #celebrity #influencer #celebrity #representation