Amazon lines up Laver Cup rights deal – report

E-commerce and media company Amazon is close to agreeing a rights deal for the Laver Cup tennis tournament, according to the Australian Financial Review newspaper.

The AFR, citing sources familiar with the matter, said that Amazon is set to sign a two-year deal for the event, which debuted last year. Amazon would hold global rights to the tournament.

The inaugural Laver Cup was held in the Czech capital of Prague last September, with Team Europe, featuring Swiss star Roger Federer and Spain’s Rafael Nadal, claiming a 15-9 victory over a Team World side. Chicago’s United Center will host the 2018 event from September 21-23.

The AFR said that, as well as offering live coverage of matches, Amazon would provide behind-the-scenes content, mini-series and viral content.

The Laver Cup would represent the latest addition to Amazon’s portfolio of tennis rights. Last month, it confirmed an exclusive five-year rights deal in the UK for the US Open grand slam tournament. The deal covers the 2018 to 2022 editions of the event. From 2019, Amazon will also broadcast the ATP World Tour in the UK as part of a five-year deal that will run until 2023.

Amazon last year entered into a partnership with ATP Media, the broadcast arm of professional men’s circuit the ATP World Tour, through which it is streaming the Next Gen Finals through to the end of 2018.