Amazon and NFL hoping to establish a tradition with the first Black Friday game

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Amazon and the NFL have joined forces to create a new tradition that may rival the Super Bowl in significance: the Black Friday game. This inaugural matchup between the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets is set to be broadcast on Amazon’s Prime Video platform, coinciding with the busiest shopping day of the year.

Jay Marine, Vice President of Prime Video, expressed the enthusiasm behind this collaboration, emphasizing its potential as an annual event. He stated, “When we talked with the NFL, this is a perfect marriage. Black Friday is a huge event for us every year. We’re really putting everything behind this.”

Hans Schroeder, the executive vice president of NFL Media, revealed that the league had been exploring the idea of adding a Black Friday game for some time now. In recent years, the Thanksgiving Day tripleheader has consistently ranked among the most-watched games of the regular season.

Introducing a Black Friday game not only extends the NFL’s reach but also aligns perfectly with Amazon’s platform. Schroeder noted, “It’s an opportunity for us to continue to innovate with Amazon. I think some of what they’ve done this year on Prime Vision is exciting with seeing that intersection of data and AI predictability and taking fans deeper inside of X’s and O’s.”

Despite the shopping extravaganza of Black Friday, the game won’t feel like a hybrid of the Home Shopping Network and football. Amazon plans to highlight Black Friday deals during commercials and provide a QR code for in-game shopping. Each quarter will feature a major promotion, and other deals will be available during the pregame, postgame, and halftime shows.

Remarkably, the game will be available for all fans to stream for free, reflecting Amazon’s commitment to expanding its audience. According to Nielsen, the most-viewed Amazon game this season occurred during Week 2 when the Philadelphia Eagles faced the Minnesota Vikings.

With NFL games averaging 17.1 million viewers through 11 weeks, marking a 6% increase over the previous season, the league is on track for its highest viewership since 2015. Amazon’s decision to air a concert by Garth Brooks after the game adds an exciting dimension to the event.

Al Michaels, who will call the game alongside Kirk Herbstreit and Kaylee Hartung, expressed curiosity about this unique approach. He said, “I’m curious to find out how this works. I mean, there’s a chance in my mind that this could be spectacular.”

This move also underscores the NFL’s commitment to providing compelling matchups throughout the week, with Thanksgiving games, a Black Friday showdown, three Sunday windows, and a Monday night game, ensuring national appeal for half of the week’s 16 matchups.

While college football has traditionally taken center stage on the day after Thanksgiving, the 3 p.m. Eastern kickoff of the Black Friday NFL game offers a new opportunity for football enthusiasts. With all 32 teams playing this week and 10 of the 16 games featuring matchups between teams in the same division, football fans have much to anticipate.

Even with Tim Boyle at quarterback for the Jets instead of Aaron Rodgers, the AFC East-leading Dolphins, led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Tyreek Hill, have risen to national prominence.

In conclusion, the Black Friday game represents a groundbreaking collaboration between Amazon and the NFL, poised to revolutionize the viewing experience and extend the reach of both entities. With exciting innovations and the promise of a unique spectacle, this inaugural event holds the potential to become a cherished tradition in the world of football and commerce.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Black Friday NFL Game

More about Black Friday NFL Game

• Amazon Prime Video
• NFL Official Website
• Nielsen Ratings