MLB & Barstool Sports: The Right Partnership?

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 3: Umpires review a call with the assistance of an MLB.TV technician in the fourth inning during a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Kansas City Royals at Citizens Bank Park on July 3, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 7-2. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 3: Umpires review a call with the assistance of an MLB.TV technician in the fourth inning during a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Kansas City Royals at Citizens Bank Park on July 3, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 7-2. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
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Amazon as a MLB option
TORRAZZA PIEMONTE, ITALY – JUNE 03: General view of Amazon logo on Amazon Headquarter on June 03, 2021 in Torrazza Piemonte near Turin, Italy. Amazon Italy rolls out an on-site vaccine site for its employees. as Italy steps up next wave of vaccine campaigns. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video was recently awarded exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football through the 2023 season and has demonstrated a commitment to expanding into the world of sports streaming. While Amazon Prime Video’s demographic breakdowns are not made readily available, Amazon Prime Video remains one of the top streaming services currently offered.

It’s also worth noting that MLB has already asked Amazon Prime Video to stream a few games. You can even subscribe to MLB.TV via the Amazon Prime Video app, demonstrating the league’s willingness to leverage Amazon’s video streaming service.

Amazon Prime Video also already offers the remote streaming experience that Barstool Sports has advertised to the league via their Instagram & Twitter accounts for TNF. The Amazon Prime Video TNF games were actually the best-run games and were streamed with minimal issues. Amazon has deeply invested in their sports streaming division (yes, they have a full division dedicated to sports streaming) and its infrastructure makes this a no-brainer for Rob Manfred and co.

Considering the popularity of streaming services among kids and young adults, it’s likely that the league could still access this age ranges without potentially alienating some (or most) of the new female baseball fanbase via a Barstool Sports partnership.

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