What is happening?!
Netflix, in an attempt to further indulge in combat sports, has acquired a significant “boxing mega-event” that is set to pitch the former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. This event is a partnership between Netflix and Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions and is set to be broadcast live from AT&T Stadium in Dallas on July 20.
Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul: The Mega Event
In a major boost to its live sports strategy, Netflix will stream the Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul boxing match, which will be available to every subscriber at no additional cost. This is in contrast to most other boxing events which continue to rely on the pay-per-view model. Additionally, tickets will also be made available to fill AT&T Stadium in Dallas, which has a seating capacity of 80,000. The event will also feature co-main events and undercard bouts.
What the Partnership Means for Netflix
Gabe Spitzer, the vice president of nonfiction sports for Netflix, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership with Most Valuable Promotions. According to him, Mike Tyson is one of the biggest icons in boxing history while Jake Paul has emerged as one of the biggest disruptors. He believes that this event, which will be broadcast worldwide on Netflix, will be a thrilling experience for boxing fans globally.
This boxing match is a key expansion of Netflix’s live sports strategy, coming on the back of its 10-year agreement with WWE worth over $5 billion. Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul is set to be on par with other sporting events hosted by Netflix such as The Netflix Slam and The Netflix Cup.
Details about the Broadcasting Deal
While the financial specifics of the deal weren’t revealed, sources suggest it to be substantial. Previously, Tyson and Paul had guaranteed incomes in the single digit millions, alongside a percentage of the pay-per-view revenue.
Reviving Boxing
Boxing, once a staple of late-night TV, migrated to HBO, Showtime, and pay-per-view. Digital creators like Paul, Logan Paul, and KSI breathed new life into the sport with their entry. Jake Paul previously faced former NBA star Nate Robinson in a 2020 undercard match with Tyson as the main event.
Jake Paul spoke about the surreal experience of fighting Tyson just four years after knocking out Nate Robinson in one of Tyson’s undercards. On the other hand, Mike Tyson commends Jake’s growth as a boxer and is looking forward to the match.
Legal Representation and Netflix’s Expansion in Sports
Michael B. Abramson provided legal representation for Most Valuable Promotions and Jake Paul, while Mike Tyson was represented by Andrew Ruf at Paradigm. Besides its foray into boxing and wrestling, Netflix has turned into a significant entity within the sports documentary space, housing English-language documentaries focusing on various sports such as NFL, MLB, NBA, and many more.
Wrapping Up
The upcoming “boxing mega-event” featuring Mike Tyson against Jake Paul is another indication of Netflix’s dedicated move to aggressively include live sports content. This blend of internet culture and traditional sporting events is expected to keep audiences on their toes. If you’re interested in watching more sports content or documentaries, check out HitPlay.
