Netflix is making its way into live sports, and they’re doing it in style! The streaming giant is set to host its inaugural live sports event, an event that’s bound to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Prepare for the ‘Netflix Cup,’ a nine-hole golf showdown featuring a star-studded cast of athletes well-known to fans of two of Netflix’s riveting docuseries, ‘Formula 1: Drive to Survive’ and ‘Full Swing.’ Picture Formula 1 drivers like Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly, Lando Norris, and Carlos Sainz teaming up with PGA Tour golfers Rickie Fowler, Max Homa, Collin Morikawa, and Justin Thomas. This groundbreaking collision of sports worlds is scheduled for November 14th at the prestigious Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas, strategically timed to build anticipation for the upcoming F1’s inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 18th.
Gabe Spitzer, VP of Nonfiction Sports at Netflix, shared his excitement, saying, “We enjoy seeing how more people are watching sports leagues and contests throughout the world because to our sports series. With international stars from two smash shows participating in our first-ever live sporting event, the Netflix Cup will amp up the energy.”
Netflix joins other SVOD services like NBCUniversal’s Peacock, Apple TV+, Paramount+, and WBD’s Max in offering live sports experiences to their subscribers. The best part is, Netflix is creating this epic showdown without having to deal with the complexities of expensive rights packages, a move clearly aligned with their current business interests. “We really think that we can have a strong offering for sports fans on Netflix without having to be part of the difficulty of the economic model of live sports licensing,” Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s co-CEO, stressed.”
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Netflix has experimented with live events in 2023, with mixed results. While Chris Rock’s stand-up special ‘Selective Outrage’ went off without a hitch, a reunion for season four of ‘Love Is Blind’ experienced technical glitches, causing delays and losing its live essence.
The ‘Netflix Cup’ is officially sanctioned by the PGA Tour and Formula 1 and is designed as an exciting competition where four two-man teams (each consisting of one driver and one golfer) will battle it out over eight holes. The top two teams will go head-to-head on the ninth hole, determining who will emerge victorious.
Excel Sports Management, representing Homa, Morikawa, and Thomas, is at the helm of production alongside BZ Entertainment, and the talented team of Connor Schell and David Chamberlin’s Full Day Productions, renowned for producing the ESPY Awards, Oscars red carpet shows, and ESPN’s Monday Night Football ‘Manningcast.’
Prepare for a sporting spectacle like no other, as Netflix’s ‘Netflix Cup’ promises to be a game-changer in the world of live sports.
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