In a groundbreaking move, the NFL is introducing a “Black Friday” game tradition starting in 2023. This unique event will be exclusively streamed on Amazon Prime Video, offering fans a free streaming “deal” to enjoy the matchup between the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets.
Money Talks in the NFL’s Decision to establish a “Black Friday” game.
Financial considerations played a pivotal role in the NFL’s decision to establish a “Black Friday” game. Amazon, in its $1 billion “Thursday Night Football” package, missed the chance to broadcast a Thanksgiving game due to separate rights held by CBS, Fox, and NBC. To make up for this, Amazon proposed the idea of a “Black Friday” game, aligning with its peak shopping day, and secured an annual $100 million deal with the NFL.
NFL’s Journey into Uncharted Territory
While the NFL has occasionally played games on Fridays during holidays, the concept of a regular “Black Friday” game is unprecedented. The league experimented with Friday games on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day since 1999, and the last non-holiday Friday game was in 1986. The AFL had a history of Friday games in the 1960s, but the last Black Friday game dates back to 1962.
A Future Tradition Unfolding
With plans for an annual “Black Friday” game, the NFL is venturing into uncharted territory. Similar to the introduction of the Thanksgiving night game in 2006, this move marks the initiation of a new tradition on Friday afternoons that is poised to become a staple in the league’s schedule.
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