Amazon eyes Beast Mode for NFL cast
AMAZON Prime Video has targeted Marshawn Lynch, The Post has learned, as a feature reporter and analyst for its exclusive “Thursday Night Football” package, which will begin next season.
Lynch is envisioned by Amazon as a potential part of a more relaxed studio-type show, as well as conducting interviews, according to sources. Lynch, 36, could do reports about the city the games are taking place in, utilizing his sense of humor.
Amazon declined comment.
In creating its new broadcast, Amazon is trying to start with credibility, while infusing its presentation with some new aspects. It has had extensive negotiations with legendary NBC play-by-player Al Michaels to lead its main broadcast. Michaels’ deal is not yet signed, but talks are at an advanced stage. Amazon is also bringing in NBC “Sunday Night Football” executive producer Fred Gaudelli to oversee its game presentation.
As The Post reported months ago, the leading candidates to be Michaels’ partner are Troy Aikman, Drew Brees, Cris Collinsworth and a mystery candidate, meaning a high-profile former coach or player who becomes interested. Amazon will have other streams, as well, similar to the way ESPN has alternative presentations, like the Manningcast for “Monday Night Football.”
Lynch made an appearance with Peyton and Eli Manning in September in which he mistakenly said, “What the f--k?” Peyton Manning later apologized for Lynch’s blooper.
Lynch’s appearance was generally well received. Now, Amazon wants more of it.
Apple and MLB
The idea that Apple could air Major League Baseball is significant because of what it could mean, not what it is.
While MLB is important, its individual regular-season games are not vital to fans who aren’t diehards. So one or two games per week around the league, even if they air exclusively on Apple TV+, would not even be in the same zip code as Amazon’s 12-year deal to air the stand-alone rights to “Thursday Night Football.”
That NFL-Amazon contract is for more than a billion dollars a year. If Apple and MLB’s deal comes to fruition, it would be for far less. Apple TV+, however, will be able to experiment with sports to see if it can build something. Those are games that no networks wanted, making them leftovers of sorts and an extremely low risk for Apple. The sports media world, however, has been waiting for Apple to really get into the game.
Amazon had done it in a big way through its relationships with the NFL and the Yankees (Amazon has an ownership stake in YES). Internationally, Amazon already has collected premier soccer, tennis and cricket matches. You don’t start with the Super Bowl. That’s where you end, though.
This is the beginning for Amazon. It could be for Apple, too. That is why it could be very significant for viewers in terms of how they eventually watch their games.
Clicker Book Club
Who wouldn’t like another book on Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle?
Papa Clicker says fans will enjoy “Maris & Mantle: Two Yankees, Immortality and the Age of Camelot,” by Tony Castro. The detailed book goes well beyond the epic 1961 season, diving into the years before Mantle and Maris’ historic home run chase.
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