Sports

Netflix’s Jake Paul-Mike Tyson streaming issues raise Christmas concerns for NFL

Published

1 year ago

November 18, 2024

Netflix’s Jake Paul-Mike Tyson streaming issues raise Christmas concerns for NFL

When Amazon Prime Video became an exclusive partner with the NFL in 2022 — the first time a streaming service received a full, exclusive package of NFL games — the buzzword in the sports media industry was “proof of concept.” Though Amazon had worked with NFL Network and Fox on “Thursday Night Football” starting in 2017, one of the biggest questions the streamer faced when it started its 11-year run as the exclusive broadcaster of TNF was whether it could handle the audience load. Would the streaming hold up? Would the product look and feel like an NFL broadcast? You can disagree on the choice of broadcasters, graphics, music — these are all subjective things. But what is not subjective is accessibility.

Amazon Prime Video’s NFL debut in September 2022 — an exciting 27-24 win for the Kansas City Chiefs over the Los Angeles Chargers — was a mix of beautiful images and mild anger over tech issues that dissipated very quickly through the opening weeks of the season. Sure, the broadcasters might have pushed hard to sell the audience the 20-year-old Mazda regarding the schedule, but the company passed the proof-of-concept test. My former colleague Bill Shea captured that opening broadcast, and today we don’t see discussions about buffering or tech issues about Amazon’s NFL presentation. Latency can be problematic for live sports if the stream is more than a few seconds behind the real-time action, but Amazon has been very good here.

This was all front of mind Friday as Netflix aired multiple hours of pro boxing from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Jake Paul and Mike Tyson were the headline act, and it was not a great moment for sporting excellence. The Paul-Tyson bout was horrible, and so was the streaming experience for many viewers. As my colleague Tess DeMeyer chronicled, viewers were plagued by frequent bouts of buffering and freezing. There were technical issues in the broadcast, with Evander Holyfield’s earpiece and Jerry Jones’ microphone malfunctioning during separate interviews. (As wryly noted on X by Fox Sports president of insights and analytics Mike Mulvihill, there was great irony in Jones’ praising Netflix’s future with the NFL as viewers experienced tech issues.)

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Streaming issues of course vary depending on multiple factors, including internet connectivity. But there were loads of viewers who experienced problems Friday night, including The Athletic’s own media writer, Andrew Marchand, who updated his followers on Bluesky on the error message he was receiving.

Netflix has over 280 million subscribers in more than 190 countries including Canada, where I watched from Friday night. I struggled to get access to the streamer for a couple of minutes before the sensational Amanda Serrano-Katie Taylor bout (Serrano was robbed, it says here) and had moments of buffering throughout; I was clean for the whole Tyson-Paul event. Social media was lit with complaints. (The website Down Detector noted nearly 85,000 viewers logged problems with outages or streaming leading up to the fight, per the CBC.) It’s the worst kind of publicity for Netflix, which declined to comment. An NFL spokesperson had not responded as of publication.

This isn’t the first live sports rodeo for Netflix. It aired an F1-golf crossover event last November and a tennis match between Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal in March. Those were successful. What was a disaster was the live reunion in April 2023 to the conclusion of the fourth season of the reality dating show “Love Is Blind,” when users were unable to access the stream. Netflix issued an apology to viewers and an apology during an earnings call.

But the big one for Netflix is coming Christmas Day, given it landed exclusive rights to stream two NFL games — the Chiefs against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens versus the Houston Texans. The three-season deal also includes a game on Christmas Day in 2025 and 2026. The game production will not be an issue as CBS is handling that, and the NFL Network is charged with pregame, halftime and postgame coverage. Neither of those entities has a role in transmission and streaming; that’s on Netflix, and it’s under six weeks until kickoff.

The Tyson-Paul fight was ultimately sports entertainment. Even Netflix’s recent deal with WWE — paying more than $5 billion for exclusive rights to the long-running “Raw” franchise, along with other rights outside the U.S. — could be tagged as sports-adjacent given WWE falls under sports entertainment. But the NFL matters to those that fuel weekly sports consumption in North America, and these matchups would easily draw more than 25-plus million on a traditional outlet in the United States. The NFL desperately wants Netflix to work as a partner because Netflix represents a multiple-decade ATM for it. Netflix needs it to work because it sees advertising as part of its long-term ambition for sustainable earning sources, and live sports can be a driver there. The NFL has an international slate of games it can easily turn into a future media rights package, and you know it wants Netflix at the table for that. Netflix executives announced this week they had sold out of advertising inventory for the games. It’s a big deal in the sports business world.

The NFL wants to put on a show far more entertaining than Tyson-Paul, and you can be sure Friday night spooked league officials a bit. Given the trajectory of the four teams playing Christmas Day, the games are shaping up to be of serious consequence for playoff seeding. There is money and reputation at stake, and you don’t get a second chance at a first impression. Both entities will be crushed by NFL fans if Christmas brings buffering and dropped streams.

(Photo: Al Bello / Getty Images)

Related Topics:Boxing Featured NFL Sports Business

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Sports

College Football Playoff rankings: Oregon climbs after win over USC

Published

5 hours ago

November 26, 2025

Press Room

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The latest College Football Playoff rankings showed minimal movement as the college football regular season approaches its final week.

One notable change from last week saw Oregon overtake Ole Miss, swapping the No. 6 and No. 7 spots.

Oregon’s win over USC moved the Ducks ahead of Ole Miss during the Rebels’ bye week.

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Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (5) looks for an opening in the Southern California defense during the second half Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Eugene, Oregon. (AP Photo/Lydia Ely)

The other meaningful shift was Miami’s move to No. 11 in a switch with Utah after the Utes gave up 472 yards rushing in a tight win over Kansas State.

There are two more rounds of rankings to be revealed, ending on Dec. 7, when the rankings will set the bracket for the 12-team playoff starting Dec. 19,

CFP COMMITTEE EXPLAINS KEEPING INDIANA AT NO. 2 AFTER CLOSE CALL VS. PENN STATE IN LATEST RANKINGS

Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) celebrates a touchdown pass with offensive lineman Adedamola Ajani (72) during the fourth quarter against Penn State in State College, Pa., Nov. 8, 2025. (Barry Reeger/AP Photo)

Ohio State and Indiana will play in what should be a No. 1 vs. No. 2 Big Ten title game if both win rivalry games on the road over Thanksgiving weekend. Ohio State’s task is more difficult against Michigan, which moved up three spots to No. 15. Indiana plays Purdue.

No. 10 Alabama plays at Auburn with a spot in the Southeastern Conference title game on the line. The Tide’s opponent would be Texas A&M if the Aggies win at No. 16 Texas.

Here are the full rankings:

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The College Football Playoff national championship trophy Jan. 8, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)

Ohio State
Indiana
Texas A&M
Georgia
Texas Tech
Oregon
Ole Miss
Oklahoma
Notre Dame
Alabama
Miami
Tulane

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson’s reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.

Sports

High school basketball: Boys’ and girls’ scores from Tuesday

Published

7 hours ago

November 26, 2025

Press Room

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

TUESDAY’S RESULTS
BOYS
SOUTHERN SECTION
Beckman 44, Dana Hills 35
Big Bear 79, Rim of the World 61
Bolsa Grande 51, EF Academy 19
California 76, Huntington Beach 56
Camarillo 51, Vasquez 49
Canyon Country Canyon 78, Buckley 74
Cathedral 57, La Serna 52
Chadwick 56, Highland 31
Chaminade 54, Valencia 40
Corona 73, Jurupa Hills 70
Corona Santiago 69, Hillcrest 54
Crespi 84, Golden Valley 68
Crossroads 92, St. Paul 30
Crossroads Christian 60, Downey Calvary Chapel 36
de Toledo 53, St. Monica Academy 50
Diamond Ranch 58, La Palma Kennedy 52
Dos Pueblos 88, Lompoc 41
Eastside 70, Rosamond 28
Esperanza 71, Northwood 62
El Toro 68, Westminster La Quinta 56
Etiwanda 65, Norte Vista 55
Fontana 49, Arlington 39
Foothill Tech 72, Del Sol 44
Fullerton 70, Orange 21
Garden Grove 74, Workman 18
Garden Grove Pacifica 76, Loara 45
Grace 56, Santa Clarita Christian 42
Harvard-Westlake 82, Millikan 73
Indian Springs 46, Norco 42
Laguna Hills 70, Yorba Linda 59
La Habra 71, Cerritos 47
La Mirada 78, Eastvale Roosevelt 76
Legacy Christian 69, Milken 50
Los Amigos 83, Whitney 44
Los Alamitos 67, San Clemente 60
Norwalk 60, South El Monte 49
Orcutt Academy 50, Carpinteria 31
Palm Desert 62, Upland 49
Paloma Valley 69, Garey 16
Perris 59, San Jacinto Valley Academy 39
Rancho Cucamonga 75, Oak Hills 70
Redlands East Valley 66, Chaffey 49
San Dimas 74, Laguna Beach 50
San Luis Obispo 72, Nordhoff 22
San Marcos 47, Oak Park 46
San Marino 55, South Hills 38
Santa Ana Calvary Chapel 65, Rancho Alamitos 29
Santa Fe Christian 77, Rancho Christian 72
Santa Margarita 71, Bakersfield Christian 39
Santa Paula 83, Saddleback 65
Saugus 52, West Covina 32
Silverado 58, Riverside North 25
South Torrance 61, Keppel 55
St. Monica 72, Culver City 50
Temecula Prep 77, Cornerstone Christian 19
Temecula Valley 71, Arrowhead Christian 52
Tustin 50, Segerstrom 38
University Prep 51, HMSA 44
Verbum Dei 64, Wiseburn-Da Vinci 55
Villa Park 68, Peninsula 49
West Torrance 49, Palos Verdes 43
Windward 67, Simi Valley 37
Woodcrest Christian 76, California Lutheran 57

INTERSECTIONAL
Capistrano Valley 69, LACES 48
Carlsbad 58, Fairmont Prep 55
Downey 70, Gardena 53
Franklin 58, Gabrielino 48
Mira Mesa 67, Linfield Christian 50
Newport Beach Pacifica Christian 80, Carson 45
Palmdale Aerospace Academy 61, Bakersfield Highland 51
Pasadena Poly 87, New West Charter 22
Pioneer 73, Maywood Academy 41
Rolling Hills Prep 68, San Pedro 48
Woodbridge 74, Mt. Carmel 54

GIRLS
SOUTHERN SECTION
Barstow 46, Duarte 29
Beckman 55, Eastvale Roosevelt 35
Buena Park 51, Santa Monica 30
Cantwell-Sacred Heart 44, Rosemead 21
Canyon Springs 47, Elsinore 33
Chaparral 62, Silverado 30
Chino Hills 52, Corona Santiago 33
Colony 56, Montclair 12
Covina 31, San Gabriel Academy 18
Crean Lutheran 58, Wiseburn-Da Vinci 20
Etiwanda 87, Lynwood 41
Fillmore 47, Simi Valley 31
Garden Grove 44, Westminster La Quinta 25
Hacienda Heights Wilson 62, Schurr 50
Heritage 76, Liberty 17
Hesperia Christian 43, Western Christian 38
Indian Springs 44, Colton 35
Lakewood St. Joseph 62, West Covina 18
Lancaster 40, Hart 39
Lawndale 52, Ramona Convent 18
Loara 62, Westminster 33
Long Beach Wilson 66, Mayfair 22
Los Alamitos 58, Cerritos 48
Maranatha 56, Pasadena Marshall 24
Marina 51, Anaheim Canyon 35
Mater Dei 72, Bishop Montgomery 33
Mission Viejo 34, Northwood 32
Newbury Park 52, Santa Clara 2
North Torrance 59, Bakersfield Liberty 31
Oak Park 69, Canyon Country Canyon 47
Oaks Christian 49, Rio Mesa 31
Orange Lutheran 39, Newport Beach Pacifica Christian 32
Palmdale 32, Long Beach Cabrillo 9
Palm Springs 53, Desert Hot Springs 28
Pasadena Poly 55, Immaculate Heart 34
Redondo Union 76, Santa Maria St. Joseph 55
Rialto 64, Rancho Cucamonga 55
Riverside King 63, Upland 33
San Clemente 56, Chaminade 19
San Marino 59, Pasadena Marshall 10
Santa Fe 45, Pilibos 38
Savanna 51, Placentia Valencia 33
Segerstrom 93, Norwalk 32
St. Anthony 62, Claremont 40
Sunny Hills 68, Sierra Vista 43
Temecula Valley 44, Temecula Prep 6
Valencia 76, Moorpark 23
West Ranch 59, Mary Star of the Sea 28
Whittier 41, La Habra 39
Xavier Prep 49, Desert Christian Academy 32

INTERSECTIONAL
Birmingham 57, Walnut 44
Burbank 85, Rise Kohyang 3
Carondelet 46, Harvard-Westlake 34
El Dorado 57, Bakersfield Frontier 52
Granada Hills 66, Louisville 32
King/Drew 57. Lakewood 40
La Jolla Country Day 61, Brentwood 46
Los Amigos 32, Narbonne 23
North County San Marcos 72, Irvine 36
Ontario 49, Garfield 35
Portola Valley Priory 60, Windward 58
Rosary Academy 58, Red Mountain (AZ) 15
Sacred Heart of Jesus 60, Bravo 10
Westchester 61, Culver City 37

Sports

Golf star impressed with Kai Trump’s LPGA debut despite poor results: ‘Great opportunity’

Published

23 hours ago

November 25, 2025

Press Room

Golf star impressed with Kai Trump’s LPGA debut despite poor results: ‘Great opportunity’

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Kai Trump’s LPGA debut did not go exactly as she planned.

The 18-year-old high school senior shot a first-round 83 at The ANNIKA at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, putting her in last place out of 108 players through one round. The next day, she bounced back with a five-over 75, but it wasn’t enough to make the cut.

It was invaluable experience for Trump, who will play college golf at the University of Miami next year.

Kai Trump hits a shot on the 18th hole during the second round of The ANNIKA golf tournament at Pelican Golf Club. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)

Bryson DeChambeau , who shared a hug with the president’s granddaughter at the Ryder Cup, was impressed with Trump’s showing.

“She shot five-over the second round, which is really, it’s actually really impressive. We didn’t know how she was going to do, she handled herself very well, and what a great opportunity,” DeChambeau told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.

“I was talking to [tournament host] Annika [Sorenstam]. She’s a part of the council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, and we were just talking about how, you know, ‘What do you think about it?’ We were both talking, and this is a great opportunity. She’s like, ‘There’s plenty of others that have gotten invites that didn’t do well, but it was a great experience for them. And I think it’s going to be a great experience for her.’

Amateur Kai Trump of the United States plays her shot from the 16th tee during the first round of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican 2025 at Pelican Golf Club on November 13, 2025 in Belleair, Florida. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

MIAMI GOLF COACH PRAISES KAI TRUMP’S POISE, POTENTIAL AS SHE MAKES LPGA DEBUT

“It was awesome to see her go out there and compete doing what she loves doing, and she’s getting better,” DeChambeau added. “We’ll see what the story has for her, but she’s a grinder and a competitor, and it’s fun to see her out there competing with some of the best in the world, even though there’s a long way to go, but she is a grinder. You never know.”

After finishing her second round, Trump said she felt more “peaceful” compared to the first, which led to the improvement.

Kai Trump tees off during the final round of the Medalist Tour tournament at Lost City Golf Club on July 17, 2025 in Atlantis, Florida. (Greg Lovett/Palm Beach Post / USA Today Network via IMAGN Images)

“For the first day I was definitely really nervous. I think the nerves just got to me,” she said. “When I went out there today, I felt very calm and peaceful, to be honest with you. That’s why I played better. I did everything I could possibly have done for this tournament. So, I think if you prepare right, the nerves can … they’re always going to be there, right? They can be a little softened. So, I would just say that.”

Trump officially committed to the Hurricanes earlier this month.

Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

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