Yes, you read the headline right. Amazon is looking at former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch to be a part of their Thursday Night Football broadcast teams as a reporter and analyst.
Lynch would be a part of a more relaxed studio-type show where he would conduct interviews with players and utilize his sense of humor in a report on the city where the games are taking place.
According to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post, Amazon is all in on TNF, with the tech giant has hired Fred Gaudelli, the executive producer for NBC’s Sunday Night Football, away from the company and has reportedly had talks about bringing in Al Micheals for play-by-play duties.
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 advanced. 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 that becomes interested. Amazon will have other streams, as well, similar to how ESPN has alternative presentations, like the Manningcast.
That NFL/Amazon contract is for more than a billion dollars a year. If Apple and MLB’s deal comes to fruition, it will be for far less. However, Apple TV+ will be able to experiment with sports to see if it can build something with its ecosystem. These are games that no networks wanted so they are sort of leftovers. It is extremely low risk for Apple.
Lynch’s last appearance on TV came on the ‘Manningcast’ where he was caught cursing a few times.
Flip the page for Lynch on the Manningcast.