Amazon to host first NFL Black Friday game
- Miami Dolphins and New York Jets to play in Amazon’s first Black Friday game
- Amazon invested $100M for NFL game rights, allowing open access to viewers
- Many speculate this move is to snatch shares from stores, boost online sales
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (17) is stopped by Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson (21) and safety Marcus Epps (1) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
MIAMI (NewsNation) — The NFL has introduced a Black Friday football game hosted by Amazon, strategically placed in the midst of the most bustling shopping day of the year.
Many people speculate that this move is a strategic chess play to snatch market shares from brick-and-mortar stores and boost online sales.
Amazon reportedly invested $100 million for the NFL game rights, allowing open access to viewers.
The company plans to leverage its new ad strategy, known as “audience-based creative.” Viewers watching the game at home can add products from commercials into their virtual cart with the click of a button and complete the purchase without leaving the broadcast or their couch.
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The reason the NFL hasn’t explored this before lies in two factors: The tradition of people leaving home for shopping on this holiday and the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961. This legislation, enacted by Congress to safeguard high school and college football viewership, bars NFL games on Fridays after 6 p.m. and all-day Saturdays during the fall.
Thanksgiving football draws in massive viewership, averaging more than 33 million viewers in last year’s games. It presents a lucrative advertising opportunity and Amazon is reportedly charging $800,000 for every 30-second commercial.
