Did you know that U.S. sports bets accounted for over $150 billion in 2024 alone? Interestingly, the U.S. is not the only region that’s been raking in revenue from wagers. In fact, statistics show that as punters have gained more access to the best betting offers from reputable bookies, the number of wagers has only grown. But mainstream betting is not the only evolution in the sports industry. We take a look at some of the major changes this year that have shaken things up.
The Top Sports Stories in 2025
Over the years, the interest in sports has grown as fans have been drawn to the increasingly competitive tournaments and the thriving communities. Naturally, investments in this industry have increased to cater to this growing market, as has been evidenced by the following major shakeups in 2025:
1. The Launch of ESPN’s DTC Platform
When ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro announced that they would be launching a direct-to-consumer platform in Fall 2025, sports fans could not hide their joy. After all, for only $29.99 a month, they would get access to seven ESPN networks, which allowed them to follow over 45,000 live sports events each year! But that was not all. As Pitaro explained, this platform will cater to unique fan preferences by including aspects such as stats and on-demand replays.
So, how does this change the sports industry? In the past, sports fans relied on traditional cable, which was limited in terms of live events, thus forcing them to pay for different platforms. But now, they will have access to so many options that they will not need to seek alternatives. What’s more, with the integration of machine learning, fans will enjoy more interactive experiences, unlike the previously generalized platforms.
This move will not only affect sports fans but also other sports networks. Already, many networks are beginning to rethink their distribution models and pricing as they seek to avoid a potential financial downturn if ESPN’s platform is a success.
2. The Amazon-NBA Deal
NBA fans have eagerly been awaiting the 2025-2026 season as it promises to take things to the next level. But it’s not just transfers and rankings that are on the fans’ minds. Instead, their attention has also turned to the Amazon-NBA deal that will come into effect once the 2025-2026 season starts.
According to this deal, Amazon will have exclusive rights to the following for the next 11 years:
- The 66 regular-season
- The NBA Cup.
- The playoff rounds.
In addition, Amazon will also have exclusive rights to the Finals in 6 of the next 11 years! So, how will this affect the industry? Arguably, there will be a shift in power. After all, Amazon will have exclusive access to this elite basketball content, making it a big player not just in tech but also in the sports world. The NBA’s move from legacy TV deals is also a sign that leagues are focusing more on reaching a much wider audience.
For sports fans, this move is a good thing. While it means that you will need a Prime subscription to catch all the major moments, this exclusive access will allow you to see what happens behind the scenes as you also enjoy integration with shopping and entertainment elements. It is everything under one roof!
3. The Fall of Venu Sports
On 10th January, 2025, ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery announced that the ‘super app’ they were working on would not come to fruition. Before that, their collaboration had attracted a lot of interest from sports fans who could not wait to have access to a unified sports streaming bundle. However, this project was marred with challenges, ranging from legal pressures from Fubo to antitrust concerns. Eventually, the trio had no option but to abandon the long-awaited project. Fans are still hopeful that a successful collaboration will solve the market fragmentation in the sports industry, thus making access to sports events easier. But for this to happen, stakeholders will need to work together to sort out the legal kinks that stood in the way of Venu Sports and other failed collaborations.