MELBOURNE: E-commerce giant Amazon is reportedly in the final stages of negotiation with tennis’ new star-studded competition, Laver Cup in signing a 2-year broadcast deal with them.
According to The Australian Financial Review, the deal would give Amazon the global rights to broadcast the event through its Prime Video arm, which was created in 2016. It is also believed that there are plans for showcasing a wide range of content outside the matches, including behind-the-scenes content, mini-series and viral content online.
The event is named after Australian tennis legend Rod Laver and is owned in partnership by Team8, Roger Federer’s management company, Tennis Australia, the United States Tennis Association and Brazilian businessman and ex-player JP Lemann.
Although the Laver Cup isn’t a part of the official ATP World Tour, its ability to have draw the biggest names in tennis across Europe and the rest of the world, grabbed many eyeballs. For instance, fans were thrilled to see long-term rivals, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer play doubles alongside each other for Team Europe in Prague last year for the first time ever. The entertainment quotient is complete when players have microphones attached while playing and coaching teammates from the sidelines.
This year, the event is expected to take place in Chicago.
With this acquisition, Amazon would take its tennis portfolio to greater heights. The firm had won exclusive rights earlier this year for broadcasting the ATP World Tour and the US Open in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
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